Kerala Govt issues Guidelines for Local Authorities on Housing Unit permissions

In accordance with the CRZ-2019 notification, local authorities must follow the guidelines provided by the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) when granting permits for residential construction.

According to the government order (GO) dated December 6, 2024, subject to the terms outlined in the 2019 CRZ notification, local self-government institutions may authorize residential constructions up to 300 square meters in areas designated as CRZ II, CRZ III A, and CRZ III B.

It stated that the relevant local self-government institutions must submit applications to KCZMA along with recommendations for residential buildings larger than 300 square meters, non-residential constructions, and regularization of traditional coastal dwellings.

Details of an authorized building or road built before January 18, 2019, must be included in the plan if the property is located in CRZ II. The Coastal Management Authority must receive applications directly for regularization of traditional coastal dwellings built under the 2011 CRZ notifications, as well as for construction activities in CRZ categories other than CRZ II, CRZ III A, and CRZ III B.

The district-level committees (DLC) are in charge of confirming construction permits in accordance with the 2019 CRZ notification, spotting legal infractions, and taking additional action against infractions. Prior to granting CRZ permission, the 2019 coastal management plan map must be used to confirm the property's status within the CRZ area.

Before authorizing CRZ, the head of the relevant local self-government organization will be in charge of making sure that the rules are followed. Every three months, a committee at the district level must be informed about the housing applications that local self-government institutions have received and whether they have been accepted, denied, or are still being reviewed.