DHA Rules For Construction

DHA Karachi is a unique residential-cum-commercial design that is living rapidly developing in agreement with contemporary engineering and architectural practices. DHA has been superbly planned with a visionary approach to make it a resident-friendly megacity in terms of provision of healthcare, education, family entertainment, and access-friendly facilities. A horticultural element has been imaginatively incorporated to make DHA a green and healthy megacity.

DHA Rules For Construction

General Regulations

Chapter III

3.1 The following Regulations will apply to all types of plots, buildings, and land usage: –

3.2 Residential Plots: Residential plots will not be utilized for any other purpose.

3.3 Levelling of Plots: The plot owner will be responsible for leveling in case of any ditch, shrubs, debris, unevenness, or abnormality in the plot.

3.4 Amalgamation of Plots: Amalgamation of residential/ commercial plots will be allowed a maximum of up to four times the size of the original plot (any change will be subject to approval by the Competent Authority) if the allotment conditions of the plots are similar.

3.4.1 COS will be applicable as per the new size after amalgamation.

3.4.2 Amalgamation of constructed plots is allowed by removing a central wall(s).

3.4.3 Prescribed fee of amalgamation will be charged.

3.4.4 Amalgamation of amenity plots will be considered on a case-to-case basis by PDOHA.

3.5 Bifurcation of Plots Bifurcation/ Subdivision is allowed for
residential plots as under: –

3.5.1 Ph-VIII – Plots of 2000 sq. yd. category or more (1000 sq. yd. each). However, reasonable tolerance in dimensions will be considered on a case-to-case basis.

3.5.2 Ph-IV – Plots of 600 sq. yd. category or more (300 sq. yd. approx. each)

3.5.3 Remaining Phases – Plots of 1000 sq. yd. category or more (500 sq. yd. approx. each). Plots having an area of 1000 sq. yd. with 90’-0’’ width approx. or greater will be permitted for division. However, tolerance of 1-2% the difference in dimension will be considered on a case-to-case basis.

3.5.4 Subdivision will be done on the title, however, depending on the geometry of the plot and status/ volume of traffic on another road, a corner plot can be considered for a subdivision on another road/ street, on a case-to-case basis.

3.6 Annexation of Adjacent Extra/ Trapped Land: In the case where extra land is available, adjacent to the plot, it may be purchased by the member. Rates and permission of such cases are subject to approval by PDOHA.

3.7 Chamfering for Corner Plots: Boundary wall of corner plots
Abutting on two roads/ streets will be chamfered as under: –

• 3.7.1 Residential Plots
• 3.7.1.1 Junctions of roads 60’-0” wide and above: 10’-0” x 10’-0”
• 3.7.1.2 All other junctions: 6’-0” x 6’-0”
• 3.7.2 Commercial Plots
• 3.7.2.1 Junctions of roads 30’-0” wide and above: 6’-0” x 6’-0”
• 3.7.2.2 All other junctions: 4’-0” x 4’-0”
• 3.7.3 In the case where the radius is given at the corner of the plot, the same will be followed as per the issued site plan.
• 3.7.4 In the case of plot abutting on roads of two different widths, the required chamfer on both sides will be governed by the width of the smaller road.
• 3.7.5 The length of Chamfered portion will be in accordance with the width of the respective roads and will be measured along the length of the road.

3.8 Site Plan: PDOHA will provide the Site Plan to the members,
Indicating the following: –

• 3.8.1 Size of the Plot
• 3.8.2 The direction of North.
• 3.8.3 The Dimensions/ boundaries of the Plot.
• 3.8.4 Location of the gate(s) on residential plots.
• 3.8.5 The names and width of all street(s)/ road(s) on which the Plot abuts, together with numbers of adjoining houses or premises.

3.9 No structure or activity will fall outside the property line. Any sort of encroachment outside the property line is strictly prohibited.

3.10 Pitching of guard’s tents/ cabins outside the property line on PDOHA land or using the open plot for guard living is strictly prohibited.

3.11 Where the park is planned in the rear or on the side of the allotted plot, the owner is not allowed to provide any opening in the building towards it, even a pedestrian way in the park, being a public property.

3.12 Removal of division wall between two plots is allowed provided both the plots have the same ownership or close blood relations.

3.13 Members to ensure a clean environment in front/ around the property.

3.14 Damages: Damages to roads and utility services are strictly prohibited. In case of extension of services, if any damage is likely to be caused to the road, sewer line, rainwater line, etc. and such work will not be undertaken without prior approval of PDOHA. In case of damages, PDOHA will impose penalties, and the cost of repair work will be recovered from members.

3.15 Structures on Roof: Following structures of permanent nature may be constructed on roofs provided they are designed and built to the satisfaction of the Authority: –

• 3.15.1 Air conditioning and other ducts, vents, and wind catchers.
• 3.15.2 Water tank.
• 3.15.3 Parapet wall or railing is mandatory in case of an accessible roof.
• 3.15.4 Stair tower/ musty (applicable as per related Regulations).
• 3.15.5 Lift machine rooms, Skylight, etc.
• 3.15.6 Platform for Generator.
• 3.15.7 Installation of Solar Energy System is allowed (net metering is recommended), not exceeding the height of the stair tower ensuring proper design for structural stability.
• 3.15.8 Wind Energy System with proper engineering design for structural stability.
• 3.15.9 Access to the Lift is allowed on the rooftop.
• 3.15.10 Living room, servant quarter and bathrooms, etc. are not allowed inside stair tower.
• 3.15.11 No mobile phone antennas are allowed on roofs of residential buildings. However, it may be allowed for commercial buildings subject to the approval of PDOHA.
• 3.15.12 Roofs may be provided with waterproofing treatment along with insulation material for the thermal efficiency of the building.

3.16 Green Roof: Green Roof will be allowed with any or combination of
following: –

3.16.1 Roof when to be converted/ constructed as a Green Roof (Extensive or Intensive), may be provided with: –

3.16.1.1 Water Proofing Membrane (including Root Barrier).

3.16.1.2 Moisture Retention Membrane/ Mat

3.16.1.3 Drainage Membrane/ Layer

3.16.1.4 Filter System

3.16.1.5 Growing Medium (preferably Engineered Soil)

3.16.1.6 Gazebo not exceeding 100 sft on plots measuring 701 sq yds and above.

3.16.2 All types of Green Roofs may be designed and executed up to the height of the parapet wall. The landscape/ garden feature may include a BBQ counter, fountain, reflection pond, etc., and vegetation up to the stair tower.

3.17 Termite Proofing: The owner will ensure quality termite-proofing treatment prior to RCC works of building the foundation before the commencement of construction work.

3.18 Blasting: The use of explosive material for construction & demolition work is not allowed in PDOHA.

3.19 Inflammable Material: Storage of inflammable material is strictly prohibited in PDOHA except where allowed by the respective government agencies/ departments and PDOHA.

3.20 Disputes: No owner is allowed to stop the construction activity of other members. Any dispute/ interpretation of Regulations will be referred to PDOHA.

3.21 Structural design and vetting are compulsory for all types of Commercial and Amenity Buildings irrespective of height

3.22 For all residential plots 701 sq yd and above and all commercial plots, the contractor must be registered with PEC/ PCATP and approved by CBC. On-site execution of construction work will be supervised by a PEC’s registered engineer, from the contractor’s side.

3.23 Besides the undertaking of the Architect the contractor will be
responsible for the execution of work as per the approved drawings from PDOHA/ CBC duly submitted by the Registered Architect/ Structure engineer. In case there is any modification required in the approved plan, the owner will be responsible for submitting the drawings through a registered Architect/ Structure Engineer to PDOHA prior to execution on site.

3.24 For each project, the contractor will be responsible to provide a board on-site during the currency of the project, with the following information

3.24.1 Plot Address

3.24.2 Name of the Architect & Structural Engineer with telephone
number

3.24.3 Name of the contractor with telephone number

3.24.4 Approved drawing from CBC / PDOHA