The Uttar Pradesh government has amended its hotel building bylaws to boost tourism, simplifying regulations for establishing hotels on smaller plots. Key changes include removing the minimum land requirement for hotels with 6-20 rooms and halving the plot size requirement for larger hotels to 500 square metres. Hotels with up to 20 rooms can now be built on nine-metre-wide roads in residential areas. The amendments also mandate parking space and setbacks, ensure compliance with heritage site restrictions, and allow flexible design for larger hotels. These changes aim to attract investors, stimulate economic growth, and enhance the state's tourism infrastructure.
The Uttar Pradesh government has amended its hotel building byelaws to capitalise on the booming tourism sector in the state, an official spokesperson announced earlier this month. This amendment, described as a 'reformative step' by the spokesperson, involves changes to the Building Construction and Development Byelaws, 2008. The intent is to simplify the process for opening hotels on smaller plots of land.
Details shared by an officer highlighted that under the new regulations, a minimum of six rooms is required for an establishment to qualify as a hotel. The previous minimum land area requirement for hotels with 6 to 20 rooms has been removed, provided these hotels comply with the building construction and development bylaws. Additionally, the land requirement for larger hotels has been significantly reduced. The previous requirement of a minimum plot size of 1,000 square metres for hotels with more than 20 rooms has been halved to 500 square metres. However, the construction of hotels on residential plots in colonies developed under a plan remains prohibited.
According to the amendments, hotels with up to 20 rooms can now be constructed on nine-metre-wide roads within residential areas, while larger hotels will need a 12-metre-wide road. In non-residential areas, hotels are only permitted on roads that are at least 12 metres wide. This change aims to facilitate hotel development in a broader range of locations while ensuring adequate infrastructure support.
The government has also mandated that hotel owners allocate parking space equivalent to 1.5 car spaces per 100 square metres of built area, in addition to adhering to circulation area norms. The amendments specify that space must be left at the front and back of hotel buildings. For buildings up to 15 metres in height, a five-metre space at the front and a three-metre space at the back are required, along with a three-metre space on each side. For buildings taller than 15 metres, the existing setback and ground coverage bylaws will continue to apply.
There is no restriction on the height of buildings within the permissible ground coverage and Floor Area Ratio (FAR). However, the height will be regulated by the distance from protected monuments and heritage sites, airport funnel zones, and other statutory restrictions. These regulations ensure that new hotel constructions do not interfere with important heritage sites or essential infrastructure.
For larger hotels built on areas of 4,000 square metres or more, 20% of the FAR can be allocated for commercial and office purposes, while another 20% can be used for service apartments. In these larger establishments, 5% of the additional ground coverage area can be designated for the entrance lobby, which will not be included in the FAR calculation. This provision allows for greater flexibility in the design and functionality of large hotels, enhancing their appeal and utility.
The amendments are expected to significantly boost the hotel industry in Uttar Pradesh by making it easier to establish new hotels and expand existing ones. By reducing land requirements and simplifying construction regulations, the state government aims to attract more investors and developers to the hospitality sector. This, in turn, is anticipated to contribute to the growth of tourism, creating jobs and stimulating economic development.
In conclusion, these changes to the Building Construction and Development Bylaws represent a strategic effort by the Uttar Pradesh government to leverage the growing tourism market. The reduced land requirements, combined with more flexible construction regulations, are designed to encourage the development of a diverse range of hotel accommodations. This will enhance the state's capacity to host visitors and promote economic growth by creating new opportunities in the hospitality sector. By adopting these amendments, the government aims to position Uttar Pradesh as a more attractive destination for tourists and investors alike.