The Lahore Development Authority has committed considerable resources and time towards improving the habitability and infrastructure of the evergreen city of Lahore. In addition to large-scale infrastructure development projects, spanning thousands of applications by developers and households alike, LDA has been instrumental in working to ensure coordinated, homogenous and standardised construction, especially of residential properties, in Lahore. Accordingly, the Lahore Development Authority has enacted a set of regulations and rules, commonly referred to as by-laws, for all construction and development activities in the areas under its purview and remit. Through the engagement of high competent experts and mavens, the by-laws are also periodically updated to assist people in keeping pace with advancements in construction and to facilitate state-of-the-art construction material . Since LDA functions in areas that have developed organically over a long period of time, with some areas predating the very establishment of LDA itself, it has to defer to some degree to historical and preexisting norms and regulations. The luxury of employing a one-size-fits-all approach, that may be available to more recently developed housing authorities both in Lahore and across Pakistan, is unfortunately rendered impractical for LDA.
Residential Open Spaces' Requirements
The compulsory open spaces for residential properties are determined by the width of the road they are to be constructed upon. In this regard, the compulsory open spaces for plots located on roads with a width of up to 25 Feet are established based on the residential properties that are already constructed there. Alternatively, on roads with a width of more than 25 Feet, and on roads less than 25 Feet roads but with no comparable and pre-existing construction thereon, the compulsory open spaces prescribed by LDA are summarised in the table below. Whilst septic tanks, sewerage drains, swimming pools, and/or any other online construction material
intended specifically for the disposal of waste liquid may be permitted in these open spaces, no other type of covered or permanent structure may be constructed as an attachment or embellishment on top of them.
Residential Open Spaces' Requirements
40 Marlas & Above
All Dimensions
Front
20 Feet
Rear
10 Feet
Side
10 Feet
Side
10 Feet
30 Marlas & Above
All Dimensions
Front
10 Feet
Rear
7 Feet
Side
5 Feet
Side
5 Feet
10 Marlas & Above
All Dimensions
Front
10 Feet
Rear
7 Feet
Side
5 Feet
Side
-
5 Marlas & Above
All Dimensions
Front
5 Feet
Rear
5 Feet
Side
-
Side
-
Less Than 5 Marlas
All Dimensions
Front
5 Feet
Rear
-
Side
-
Side
-
Building Height
Aside from apartment buildings, the maximum height and stature of a residential property, located on a road with a width of up to 25 Feet, must not exceed 38 Feet. Furthermore, with the exception of only the basement, the minimum height of each floor must be at least 9 Feet 6 Inches. Alternatively, for structures to be located on roads measuring over 25 Feet in width, the maximum height and stature of the constructed property must not exceed the limit established and indicated by LDA for the housing scheme. Again, with the mere exception of the basement, the minimum height of each floor must be 9 Feet 6 Inches.
Floor Area Ratio & Ground Coverage
For plots located on roads with a width of up to 25 Feet, the Floor Area Ratio, as well as the Ground Coverage, must be in accordance with by-laws of the housing schemes approved by LDA. Alternatively, the Floor Area Ratio and Ground Coverage, vis-a-vis construction on any plots located on roads measuring over 25 Feet, stipulated by LDA, have been abridged below:
Floor Area Ratio
40 Marlas & Above
1 : 1.3
30 Marlas & Above
1 : 1.4
10 Marlas & Above
1 : 1.5
5 Marlas & Above
1 : 1.6
Less Than 5 Marlas
1 : 2
Ground Coverage
40 Marlas & Above
60%
30 Marlas & Above
65%
10 Marlas & Above
70%
5 Marlas & Above
80%
Less Than 5 Marlas
85%
Car Garage & Porch
The combined length of car porch must not exceed 20 Feet, and must be constructed in the side space. In case of a corner plot, the car porch may be constructed on the lengthier side. LDA may also authorise the construction of a room above the car porch. However, this may discretionarily be permitted only for sites with the mandatory minimum open space of 5 Feet.
External Building Requirements
The boundary wall, gate, hedge and/or ramp should not be constructed on the right of way. Similarly, a pergola is not permitted within the minimum open spaces’ as defined by the Lahore Development Authority. The boundary wall may only exceed 7 Feet where admittance to adjoining areas and/or operational road plan are not obstructed. Additionally, an approval, upon payment of the prescribed/relevant fee, must be obtained from LDA vis-a-vis the design and plan for the construction of both the boundary wall and the gate. A No-Objection Certificate must be obtained from LDA for the display of any advertisement(s), though commercial advertisements are usually not permitted on residential buildings/properties.
Internal Building Requirements
The basement must have an independent entrance, along with a designated emergency exit. The height of any room in the basement should be approximately 8 Feet. Where a basement is to be constructed, irrespective of whether the property is commercial or residential, the minimum area for the basement must be 100 Square Feet, whilst adhering to the minimum open spaces’ requirements as prescribed in the by-laws. The minimum area allotted to livable rooms should be 100 Square Feet, and each such room should have a minimum height of 9 Feet 6 Inches, and a minimum width of 8 Feet. The floor area of the kitchen should be at least 50 Square Feet, with a width of at least 6 Feet. The rooms in which the inhabitants of the property do not intend to reside, such as garages, kitchens, pantries, and washrooms etcetera, may have inter-floors only if they are adjoined to the primary structure. All of the rooms, besides those used for goods storage, should have a minimum combined glazed area of 8% of the floor space, and approximately 50% of this should be proficient vis-à-vis a continuous channel of air. Additionally, any rooms with inter-floors must have a height of at least 7 Feet 6 Inches. Each bathroom, toilet, urinal and washroom must receive adequate daylight and be properly ventilated through one or more openings, of at least 2 Square Feet, in the external walls, and such openings must be fully capable of allowing a continuous channel of air. The main sewer should allow for gravity flow with a minimum gradient of 1:40, otherwise a gas-tight pumping system must be installed.
Supplementary Requirements
While pillars may be permitted by LDA for structures with three floors, they are deemed mandatory for structures with four or more floors. The dimensions of the pillar ought to be 15 Inches x 15 Inches, with a maximum width of up to 20 Feet. For all residential properties, measuring at least 3 Marlas, both an overhead and an underground water tank must also be constructed. Furthermore, adequate insulation should be used on outer walls, the roof and all windows to ensure energy conservation and efficiency. To determine the completion date, so as to issue the Completion Certificate, on compliance with the by-laws, LDA may consider the date upon which electricity and/or natural gas connections were installed at the property.