Andhra Pradesh notifies sweeping amendments to building rules

The Andhra Pradesh government has notified amendments to the Andhra Pradesh Building Rules, 2017, aimed at strengthening urban safety, sustainability and ease of doing business, while positioning the State as a frontrunner in urban reforms.

Announcing G.O.Ms.No.273, dated December 19, 2025, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, S. Suresh Kumar said the amendments constitute a comprehensive overhaul of the regulatory framework to create safer cities, promote responsible urbanisation and enhance investor confidence through technology-driven transparency. He said the reforms bring Andhra Pradesh on par with leading States in the country.

The key changes include a uniform definition of high-rise buildings as those measuring 24 metres and above, a simplified and time-bound fire safety approval mechanism, and mandatory adoption of energy-efficient and climate-responsive standards under ECSBC 2024 and ENS 2024. To encourage green construction, impact fee rebates have been linked to IGBC ratings, while enabling provisions have been introduced to facilitate realistic development in congested and existing habitation areas.

The amendments also provide for organised open spaces with strong legal safeguards, permit modern design elements such as skywalks and sky parks in high-rise buildings, and extend the validity of licences issued to Licensed Technical Persons by three years. Integrated compliance has been strengthened across all stages, from plan approval to issuance of occupancy certificates.

Mr. Suresh Kumar said the reforms are part of a broader urban transformation agenda for 2025, which includes a unified digital single-window system, self-certification to expedite approvals and a dedicated 72-hour clearance cell for high-rise projects.