Roof Truss Height Rules Eased for Home Builders

A new amendment to the building rules has been prepared to allow relaxation in the height of special roof structures (truss work) constructed above houses. Under the revised rule, houses up to three floors will be permitted to build truss roofs above the terrace, provided the height from the terrace floor to the roof sheet does not exceed 2.4 metres. No separate fee or special approval will be required for this relaxation.

At present, the rule specifies that the combined height of the parapet wall and roof on the terrace should not exceed 1.20 metres.

In another major reform, site inspections will no longer be mandatory for non–low-risk buildings before granting construction permits. Instead, approvals will be issued after verifying the details through digital systems available in the K-SMART platform, ensuring data accuracy through online means.

This provision will apply only to applications submitted in accordance with the law. Earlier, site inspection had already been waived for low-risk buildings up to 300 square metres (approximately 3,229 sq. ft.). Now, the responsibility for ensuring the accuracy of site details will rest entirely with the licensed designer and the building owner, and the permit will be granted on that basis.

However, an inspection will be conducted once the building’s foundation and ground floor are completed. If it is found that the construction deviates from the approved plan, the permit will be suspended, and action will be taken against both the owner and the licensed professional.

The new amendment will also make it mandatory for government buildings, including schools, to obtain construction permits before beginning work. However, such buildings will be exempted from paying the permit fee. This change comes in response to incidents where rule violations in public structures have led to safety hazards. The revised rules will be officially notified after review by the Law Department.