Raising stakes: Buildings categorised as high-rises are subject to more stringent norms relating to fire safety, emergency evacuation and structural requirements. | Photo Credit: File photo The Karnataka government has now proposed increasing the height of buildings categorised as “high-rises” from the existing 21 metres to 24 metres. This is the second proposal to increase the height limit for high-rises in the State in just over a year.Earlier, it was 15 metres and was proposed to be raised to 21 metres.

It is now proposed to be increased to 24 metres, a 60% jump from the original threshold. The Urban Development Department (UDD) issued a draft notification on November 3, calling for objections and suggestions to the proposal within 30 days.Buildings categorised as high-rises are subject to more stringent norms relating to fire safety, emergency evacuation and structural requirements.

The relaxation in height could lead to concerns over fire safety. However, the relaxation has been recommended by the Fire and Emergency Services Department.“Relaxation in height for buildings to be categorised as a high-rise is based on recommendations of the Central Government under Compliance Reduction and Deregulation Phase-II,” the draft notification said.

In light of this recommendation, and “with a view to rationalising the regulatory requirements and adopting global best practices in fire safety norms for buildings, the State Fire and Emergency Services has opined that the height reference for high-rise buildings may be increased from 21.0 metres to 24.0 metres,” the draft notification said.The relaxation in height would mean more vertical growth and densification in cities. Chief Minister D.K.

Shivakumar has been arguing for vertical growth in Bengaluru and has petitioned the Union Government to relax height restrictions in force in the city due to four airports.The UDD had issued a draft notification in 2025 increasing the height threshold for a high-rise from 15 metres to 21 metres across cities in the State. A similar notification was issued for Bengaluru in June 2026.

These now stand withdrawn, and the new draft notification has been issued. Published - November 06, 2026 08:09 pm IST