Himachal Tightens Building Safety Rules: Structural Reports Now Mandatory for Multi‑Storey Homes

The Himachal Pradesh government has introduced stricter safety norms for building construction across the state. From now on, anyone planning to construct a building taller than three storeys—whether in a city or a village—must submit a structural engineer’s report. Even two‑and‑a‑half‑storey buildings will require a structural stability certificate. Without these documents, such constructions will not be considered legally valid.

These changes have been added to the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning (HP TCP) Rules, 2021. Earlier, only government buildings needed these safety certifications, but the rule has now been extended to private buildings as well.

The move comes after repeated incidents of buildings being damaged by landslides and other natural disasters in the state. Over the past few years, both government and private structures have suffered significant damage. Central government teams visiting Himachal had also advised the state to make structural safety checks mandatory to prevent such risks.

The Town and Country Planning Department has already prepared development plans for major cities like Shimla, Kullu, Dharamshala, Una, Mandi, Solan, Nahan, and Chamba. In the Shimla Planning Area, building permissions now vary based on road access. Areas with a five‑metre‑wide road can get approval for up to five storeys, while regions without road access are restricted to two storeys with an attic.

TCP Minister Rajesh Dharmani said the rule was already in place for government buildings and has now been extended to ensure that private homes are also built safely and with proper technical guidance.

The government has also reinforced rules for construction near water bodies. Builders must maintain a safe distance from natural drains and streams—at least five metres from drains and seven metres from rivers and larger streams—before receiving construction approval.