How will Rajuk’s proposed fee hikes impact building costs in Dhaka?
Under the draft Construction Rules 2025, almost every step of the approval process becomes costlier.
Dhaka's construction approval system is headed for a major shake-up, with Rajuk proposing a sweeping set of revisions to the Building Construction Rules 2008, including fee hikes of up to five times, new building categories, revised calculation methods and several added or scrapped charges.
Under the draft Construction Rules 2025, almost every step of the approval process becomes costlier. Fees for plan approvals, extensions, and land-use clearances would jump from Tk1,000 to Tk5,000.
Besides, a new Tk5,000-per-katha charge has been introduced for multi-unit residential block applications, which Rajuk officials say will significantly raise upfront expenses for private homebuilders.
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What exactly is changing under the proposed 2025 rules?
Fivefold fee hikes for core approvals
- Plan approval, extension, appeal → Tk1,000 → Tk5,000
- Land-use clearance, appeal, renewal → Tk1,000 → Tk5,000
Completely new fee structure for multi-unit residential blocks
- Tk5,000 per katha added for such applications.
Shift from land-size–based fees to floor-area–based fees
Unlike the 2008 rules, the new system calculates fees based on the total floor area of all storeys:
- Up to 50 sq m → Tk175
- Range of floor areas divided into 16 categories
- 3,000+ sq m buildings → Approval fee Tk3.65 lakh
Fee range set at Tk50–Tk150 per sq m
Depending on the building type and purpose, fees will vary across this band.
Several ancillary fees introduced or adjusted
- Boundary wall approval: Tk20/sq m (minimum Tk2,000)
- Billboards: Tk50/sq m (minimum Tk5,000)
- Reservoirs: Tk100/cubic metre (minimum Tk10,000)
Unchanged fees
- Hill-cutting approval: Tk30,000
- Pond excavation: Tk10,000
- Fitness certificates and renewals: Tk1,000
Some fees abolished entirely
The Tk10,000 application fee for special project clearances and appeals is removed.
Full exemption for religious structures
Mosques, temples, churches and pagodas will not require construction approval fees, as long as the buildings are used strictly for worship or related purposes.
