GHMC Building Permission Check

What is GHMC Building Permission?

GHMC Building Permission is the official approval granted by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for construction of new buildings, additions, alterations, and reconstructions within the GHMC jurisdictional limits. GHMC covers the entire Greater Hyderabad area spanning approximately 650 sq. km across 18 town planning circles, 5 zones, and 150 wards.

The Town Planning wing of GHMC is responsible for scrutinising building plans and granting permissions. All applications are now processed through the BuildNow portal (buildnow.telangana.gov.in), which replaced the older TGbPASS system in December 2025. While BuildNow is the filing platform, the actual scrutiny and approval authority for properties within GHMC limits is the GHMC Town Planning Department.

GHMC building permission ensures that the proposed construction complies with the Telangana Building Rules (GO Ms. No. 168), zoning regulations, FSI limits, setback requirements, fire safety norms, and environmental clearances. Without valid building permission, a construction is considered illegal and is liable for demolition under the Telangana Municipalities Act and HYDRAA regulations.

GHMC vs BuildNow vs HMDA — Which Authority Applies?

Understanding the relationship between different approval authorities in Hyderabad is critical for property buyers and builders:

In summary: you file on BuildNow, but for properties within Hyderabad city, GHMC processes and approves your application. For properties in the outer metropolitan area, HMDA or the respective municipality handles it.

How to Check GHMC Building Permission Status Online

There are multiple official portals where you can verify the status of your GHMC building permission application:

Building Rules in GHMC Limits (Telangana Building Rules — GO Ms. No. 168)

GHMC enforces specific building regulations based on the Telangana Building Rules and GHMC-specific zoning regulations. Key rules include:

Note: These are general guidelines. Actual limits vary by specific zone, road width, plot dimensions, and proximity to restricted areas. Use our FSI Calculator and Setback Calculator for precise calculations.

Documents Required for GHMC Building Permission

The following documents must be submitted through the BuildNow portal when applying for GHMC building permission:

GHMC Building Permission Fee Structure

GHMC charges fees for building permission based on the type and size of construction. The following table shows the approximate fee structure:

Exact fees depend on the specific zone, building type, and current GHMC fee schedule. Fees are calculated automatically on the BuildNow portal during application submission.

Occupancy Certificate (OC) — What It Is and Why It Matters

An Occupancy Certificate (OC) is a document issued by GHMC after the completion of construction, certifying that the building has been constructed in accordance with the approved building plan and complies with all building regulations, safety norms, and structural requirements.

Why OC is critical for property buyers:

• Legal Occupation: A building without OC is technically illegal to occupy. GHMC can issue notices and penalties to occupants of buildings without OC.
• Utility Connections: Permanent electricity connection from TSSPDCL and water connection from HMWSSB require a valid OC. Without OC, you can only get temporary connections.
• Property Sale & Home Loans: Banks require OC for sanctioning home loans to buyers. Properties without OC cannot be easily mortgaged or sold in the formal market.
• Property Tax: GHMC property tax assessment is linked to the OC. Without it, property tax may not be properly assessed, creating legal complications.
• Insurance: Building insurance policies require a valid OC. Without it, insurance claims for structural damage may be rejected.
• Resale Value: Properties with valid OC command significantly higher resale value and buyer confidence compared to those without.

How to apply for OC: After construction is complete, the owner must apply for OC through the BuildNow portal. GHMC officials conduct a site inspection to verify compliance with the approved plan. If everything matches, OC is issued within 15-30 days of application. Common reasons for OC rejection include deviation from approved plan, encroachment on setback areas, and additional floors not in the sanctioned plan.

Common Building Violations in GHMC Limits

The following violations commonly lead to notices, penalties, and demolition orders from GHMC and HYDRAA:

• No Building Permission: Constructing without applying for or obtaining building permission from GHMC through BuildNow
• Deviation from Approved Plan: Building additional floors, rooms, or structures not in the sanctioned plan
• Encroachment on Setbacks: Building within the mandatory setback area, reducing open space around the building
• Excess FSI: Constructing more built-up area than the permitted Floor Space Index allows
• Buffer Zone Construction: Building within lake buffer zones (30m FTL), nala buffers (9-15m), or Musi river buffer zones
• Government Land Encroachment: Building on government land, assigned land, WAQF land, temple land, or OSR land
• Height Violation: Exceeding the maximum permissible height for the zone, especially near airports (Shamshabad, Begumpet)
• Parking Violations: Converting mandatory parking areas into shops, storage, or living spaces
• No OC After Completion: Occupying a building without obtaining Occupancy Certificate from GHMC
• Stilt Floor Misuse: Enclosing or converting stilt parking floors into habitable rooms or commercial spaces

HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency) actively identifies and demolishes unauthorized constructions, especially those encroaching on water bodies, buffer zones, and government land. Before buying any property in Hyderabad, verify that it has valid building permission and OC.

GHMC Building Permission Timeline

The typical timeline for GHMC building permission from application to approval:

Timeline is 21 days for regular buildings. High-rise buildings (above 18m) may take 30-45 days due to additional NOC requirements. Shortfall letters or rejected applications extend the timeline.