What permit thresholds trigger additional reviews or fees?

In industrial and commercial development, specific permit thresholds—based on land size, built-up area, utility demands, or environmental sensitivity—trigger additional reviews, clearances, or fees. These thresholds are set by planning authorities, environmental regulators, fire departments, and municipal bodies to ensure safe, compliant, and coordinated development.

Below are the major categories of thresholds that initiate escalated regulatory scrutiny or financial obligations:

1. Land Area and Built-Up Size Thresholds

• Land parcels above 5 acres or built-up area over 20,000 sq. ft:
  
  • Require comprehensive site development plans and fire safety NOCs.
    
  • May be routed through the town planning committee reviews or public consultation.
    
• Projects exceeding 50,000 sq. ft built-up area:
  
  • Typically attract higher scrutiny under the Development Control Regulations (DCR).
    
  • May require additional parking, setback adjustments, and environmental compliance.
    

2. Change of Land Use or Rezoning

• If converting land from agricultural to industrial, or residential to commercial/industrial:
  
  • Requires Change of Land Use (CLU) approval, often with:
    
    • Master Plan compatibility check
      
    • Zoning review fees
      
    • Development charges based on the new land value
      
• Some states (e.g., Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu) impose premium conversion fees for such changes.
  

3. Utility Load or Infrastructure Demand

• Electricity load exceeding 100 KVA:
  
  • Requires submission of a load estimation study and installation of a dedicated transformer.
    
  • Additional infrastructure fees may be charged by the electricity board.
    
• Water demand above 50 KLD (kilo litres/day):
  
  • Triggers approval from the water supply and sanitation board.
    
  • Requires documentation of source sustainability and disposal system.
    

4. Environmental and Pollution Thresholds

• Projects above 20,000 sq. m of built-up area:
  
  • Must obtain Environmental Clearance (EC) under MoEF regulations.
    
  • Includes EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and public hearing in many cases.
    
• Red category industries (chemical, metallurgy, waste processing):
  
  • Require a detailed submission to the Pollution Control Board (PCB).
    
  • Attract higher consent-to-establish and annual fees.
    

5. Hazardous Materials and Fire Load

• Storage or handling of hazardous materials exceeding threshold limits (e.g., diesel above 2,500 liters):
  
  • Triggers a license under the Explosives Act and Fire Department approval.
    
  • May require Disaster Management Plan submission.
    
• Buildings above 15 meters in height or 3,000 sq. m area:
  
  • Require Fire NOC, fire escape plans, and sometimes an on-site fire station for large industrial complexes.