Setback requirements are legally mandated minimum distances between a building and property boundaries, roads, utilities, or other structures. In industrial developments like warehouses, factories, or plants, these setbacks directly influence the layout, buildable footprint, circulation design, and compliance approvals. They vary based on zoning classification, plot size, access roads, fire safety codes, and local building regulations.
Below are the key setback requirements that affect layout planning:
1. Front Setback (Facing Road)
- Required to ensure safe entry/exit and clear vehicle movement.
- Typically ranges from 9 to 15 meters or more for industrial and logistics uses.
- Allows for loading docks, guard rooms, entry ramps, and parking bays at the front.
- Influences how far the building must be pushed back from the road edge, affecting usable depth.
2. Side Setbacks (Left and Right Boundaries)
- Usually 3 to 6 meters for light industrial buildings, and 6 to 15 meters for medium/heavy industries.
- Required for ventilation, fire vehicle access, and utility lines.
- Impact warehouse width planning and may reduce placement options for machinery or equipment alongside walls.
3. Rear Setback (Opposite Road)
- Ranges from 3 to 9 meters, depending on zoning norms and whether the plot abuts another site or utility corridor.
- Important for placing emergency exits, septic tanks, loading bays, or internal roads at the rear.
- It may be increased if the site backs onto a residential or sensitive zone.
4. Setback for Fire and Safety Compliance
- Warehouses and plants storing combustible materials or hazardous goods require a minimum of 6 to 9 meters of clearance on all sides.
- High-rise or multi-bay warehouses may need 9+ meters of perimeter clearance for fire engine access.
- Enforced by local fire departments under the National Building Code (NBC) or state-specific rules.
5. Special Setbacks for Environmental and Utility Easements
- Additional buffers of 15 to 30 meters may be mandated from:
- High-voltage power lines
- Drainage canals or stormwater paths
- Green belts or eco-sensitive zones
- High-voltage power lines
- These requirements can reduce the buildable envelope and influence site planning significantly.
