Before a single brick goes down, your house needs building permission. Skip it, and you can run into trouble with home loans, property registration, utility connections and, in the worst case, demolition notices. The good news is that the process in Telangana has become a lot more online in the last few years.
From TS-bPASS to BuildNow
In 2020 Telangana introduced TS-bPASS (later called TG-bPASS), a system that let most homeowners get permission online, often through self-certification. In early 2025 the state began replacing it with a new portal called BuildNow, starting within GHMC limits and expanding to the rest of the state after that. BuildNow is meant to make approvals faster, with automated plan checks.
For a homeowner, the basic idea is the same: you, or a licensed technical person on your behalf, submit your plans and documents online, and the size of your plot and building decides how much scrutiny the application goes through.
How plot size affects approval
Under the TS-bPASS framework, residential applications were grouped roughly like this:
| Plot and building | What was required |
|---|---|
| Up to 75 sq.yd, height up to 7 m | No permission, but the building must be registered online |
| 75 to 600 sq.yd, height up to 10 m | Instant approval based on self-certification |
| Above 600 sq.yd, or taller than 10 m | Single-window approval after scrutiny, with a fixed time limit |
Which authority approves your plan?
It depends on where your plot is:
- GHMC for plots within Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits.
- HMDA for many areas in the wider metropolitan region, often through the local municipality or gram panchayat.
- Local municipalities for towns such as those along the outer ring road.
If your plot is near Shamshabad airport, a height clearance from the Airports Authority of India may also be needed, even for a house.
Documents to keep ready
- Sale deed and link documents showing clear title
- Encumbrance certificate
- Layout approval, or regularisation (LRS) proof if the layout was unapproved
- Latest property tax receipt or vacant land tax receipt
- Building plans prepared and signed by a licensed architect or engineer
- Structural stability certificate for larger buildings
- Owner ID and photographs
Mistakes we see often
- Building more than approved. An extra floor or reduced setbacks can block your occupancy certificate and future sale.
- Ignoring setbacks. The open space you must leave on each side depends on plot size and road width. Plan for it from the start.
- Not keeping the permission on site. Inspectors can ask to see it.
- Forgetting the occupancy certificate. Apply once construction is complete. Banks and buyers ask for it.
How we help
Our team prepares the drawings to the current building rules, checks setbacks and height before you apply, and supports you through the online application. If your plot has a title or layout issue, we'll tell you upfront rather than halfway through construction.