Rawalpindi Development Authority Building Regulations

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has a set of guidelines for the construction of commercial and residential properties, housing schemes, open spaces, etc.

These guidelines are to ensure a clean layout of the entire city and to avoid any land encroachments.

Ground coverage in commercial area

For commercial plots, no mandatory open spaces are required in the Central Area (where shops etc. are located).

The maximum coverage of the plot has to be 7/8 on the ground floor and 3/4 on the subsequent floors.

A basement with a maximum depth of 12 feet is allowed. This measurement is taken from the road level for a plot area up to 1 kanal. Plots with an area more than 1 kanal can have more than one basement.

Maximum Height

The height of any building in this area can’t be more than 1.5 times the width of the Right of Way when added to the width of the building in front of the plot/width of the setback.

The maximum height of the building, including the parapet wall, can’t be more than 70 feet.

The maximum height of the building can be as follows:

For all other commercial areas/ roads as specified under the Master Plan of the city, the building height, coverage, and Floor Area Ratio shall be as specified by the Development Authority for that particular area.

Converted plots in commercial zones

For the creation of commercial zones, sometimes a few residential plots are converted. These converted plots are obviously larger in size than the usual commercial plots. Therefore, the open spaces for these should be as follows:

Converted plots in commercial zones

For the creation of commercial zones, sometimes a few residential plots are converted. These converted plots are obviously larger in size than the usual commercial plots. Therefore, the open spaces for these should be as follows:

Building Height

The height of any building can’t be more than 1.5 times the width of the Right of Way in addition to the width of the building line, plus the width of the setback. Extra charges are levied on height in excess of 38 feet (11.58 m).

Maximum Ground Coverage

The maximum ground coverage can’t be more than 65% of the plot area.

Additional regulations

• The following additional regulations have to be followed for all commercial sites:
• The floor level of mandatory open spaces for all buildings shall not be more than 6 inches higher or lower than the adjoining road level.
• There can’t be no side walls between two adjoining commercial buildings to improve access of utility vehicles.
• Only one vehicular entry and exit shall be provided.
• Windows and other openings on the upper floors can’t be allowed as these adversely affect the privacy of adjoining properties.
• Parking spaces have to be provided as specified under the Building Regulations.
• The structure of the building can’t be altered after grant of temporary/annual commercialisation has been given.
• The side spaces between two commercial buildings have to be kept at the same level for common use.
• Regulations for sites reserved for public buildings in approved housing schemes

Mandatory open spaces are as follows:

These are the requirements for the commercial areas inside and independent of housing schemes. Those not following these are at a risk of being penalized by the city’s legal system.