The Karnataka Urban Development Department (UDD) issued a final notification on Monday changing setback norms for buildings on plots up to 4,000 sq.m in Bengaluru. The new rules apply staggered setback distances instead of previous percentage-based calculations. For plots up to 60 sq.m (20x30 sites), buildings must keep a 0.75 m front setback and 0.6 m at any one side. The rear setback is no longer required for these small plots. Buildings on plots from 60 to 150 sq.m (30x40 and 30x50 sites) must have 0.9 m front, 0.7 m rear, and 0.7 m side setbacks. Plots between 150 and 250 sq.m require 1 m front, 0.8 m rear, and 0.8 m on other sides. For plots larger than 250 sq.m and up to 4,000 sq.m, setbacks are linked to plot size: front setback is 12% of site depth, rear 8%, and both side setbacks 8% of site width. Plots above 4,000 sq.m must have minimum 5 m setbacks on all sides. The norms cap maximum building height at 12.0 m for plots up to 250 sq.m, excluding stilt floors. Open staircases are allowed in setback areas for plots up to 750 sq.m. Setback areas should not be covered with hard surfaces that block rainwater percolation. Earlier in August, UDD had updated norms to allow stilt parking and added a detailed setback system for buildings taller than 12 m. The new notification also sets rules for vehicle parking in basements or upper floors, including terraces, using lifts and mechanised equipment. Such equipment must be located in the basement with staircase access. Builders must also ensure manual controls for emergencies. These revised regulations aim to balance space use, parking needs, and environmental concerns in Bengaluru’s growing urban landscape.