Planning to Build a Bungalow in Gujarat? New 12-Metre Rule Could Change Your Construction Plans
AHMEDABAD | August 5, 2026: If you're planning to build a bungalow in Gujarat or invest in an independent home, an important rule change could directly affect your project. The Gujarat government has proposed amendments to the Comprehensive General Development Control Regulations (CGDCR) that would limit bungalow constructions to 12 metres in height. Any residential building taller than this will be treated as an apartment and must comply with stricter building regulations.
The proposal is expected to bring greater clarity to residential development while preventing the misuse of bungalow approvals for multi-storey apartment projects.
What is changing?
Under the draft amendments issued by the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, a residential building will qualify as a bungalow only if it:
- Is up to 12 metres high
- Has a maximum of three storeys
If a building exceeds the 12-metre height limit, it will no longer be approved as a bungalow. Instead, it will be classified as an apartment project and will have to follow apartment construction norms.
Why is the government introducing this rule?
According to government officials, the existing CGDCR, introduced in 2017, did not clearly define the maximum height for bungalows.
As land prices increased across cities such as Ahmedabad, some developers reportedly obtained approvals for bungalow layouts but later developed four- or five-storey buildings and sold them as apartments. The proposed amendment aims to close this loophole and ensure that approvals match the actual use of the property.
What happens if your building is taller than 12 metres?
Residential projects exceeding the proposed height limit will have to comply with apartment regulations, including:
- Mandatory open spaces (margins)
- Wider staircases
- Fire Department No Objection Certificate (Fire NOC)
- Other safety and planning norms applicable to apartment developments
This could increase both compliance requirements and construction costs for future projects.
Relief for professionals working from home
The draft rules also propose a benefit for professionals living in bungalows.
Doctors, architects, engineers, advocates and Chartered Accountants (CAs) will be allowed to use up to 50 square metres of built-up area within a bungalow (up to 12 metres high) as a professional office without changing the property's residential status.
Public objections invited
The Gujarat government has released the draft amendments and invited objections and suggestions from citizens before the rules are finalised. Homeowners, architects, developers and other stakeholders can submit their feedback during the consultation period.
Why this matters
For anyone planning to build or buy an independent house in Gujarat, these proposed rules could influence building design, project approvals and construction costs. The changes are also expected to improve transparency by ensuring that projects approved as bungalows are not later converted into apartment developments, giving homebuyers greater confidence in the type of property they are purchasing.