Karnataka Government issues Karnataka Fire Force (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 to insert NOC provision for high rise buildings

The Department of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation Secretariat, Karnataka (“Department”) has issued the Karnataka Fire Force (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 (“Ordinance”) to further amend the Karnataka Fire Force Act, 1964 (“Principal Act”).

The present Ordinance inserts a new sub-section under Section 13 of the Act. The newly inserted provision states that any person proposing to construct a high-rise building has to obtain a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services Department.

Further, subject to the provisions of the National Building Code 2016 relating to Fire and life safety, while issuing a No objection certificate for construction of a high rise building, the Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services Department has to follow such procedure and collect such amount of fee as may be prescribed.

Please note, a “high rise building” means a building of 21 meters or above in height irrespective of its occupancy as defined in the National Building Code 2016.

Source: Department of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation Secretariat, Karnataka