VIJAYAWADA: In a significant initiative to streamline business operations and spur real estate development, the state government has announced updated guidelines for the Self-Certification Scheme (SCS) 2025 concerning building permits.
The new framework is part of the state’s broader vision to simplify the building approval process while promoting a transparent and inclusive approach to urban development. It aims to empower both citizens and licensed technical personnel (LTPs) through a trust-based approval system, representing a shift towards responsible self-governance instead of stringent regulation.
S Suresh Kumar, the principal secretary for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD), issued a government order on Sunday detailing the revised SCS 2025 guidelines. The Online Building Permission System (OBPS) will enable instant online approvals, allowing applicants to commence construction immediately after paying applicable fees.
This approach replaces lengthy scrutiny with accountability measures for LTPs, who must ensure that all projects adhere to master plans, zoning regulations, and safety standards. Furthermore, a mandatory Plinth Level Inspection report must be submitted within seven days to enhance both transparency and discipline.
The SCS 2025 will be incorporated as Chapter XIV in the Andhra Pradesh Building Rules, 2017, and will apply to non-high-rise residential projects on plots up to 4,000 sq.m in approved layouts. It covers areas regularized under LRS 2008 and LRS 2020, Gramakantam regions, village sites, and redevelopment initiatives with prior approvals.
Additionally, White Category industries on plots up to 500 sq.m are included in the guidelines. These regulations will be applicable across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Gram Panchayats within Urban Development Authorities (UDAs), excluding the Capital City area, for plots measuring 300 sq.m and above.
This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2025-26, aimed at decreasing compliance burdens and creating an investor-friendly atmosphere.
