AMC Issues New Regulations, SOP for PG Accommodations in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has announced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to regulate Paying Guest (PG) accommodations across the city. The new rules make it mandatory for PG operators to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the respective housing society before operating any PG facility.

In addition to the NOC from the society, approvals must also be secured from the Fire Safety Department, Police Department, and the AMC’s Estate Department. All existing and new PG operators must comply with these requirements within 30 days of the implementation of the new rules.

Key Highlights of the New SOP:

Society NOC Mandatory: No PG unit will be allowed to operate without an official NOC from the concerned housing society. This gives societies legal backing to address issues caused by PG accommodations.

Fire, Police, and Estate Approvals Required: For safety and accountability, operators must obtain approvals from the Fire Safety Department, local police, and the Estate Department.

Clarity on Regulations: PGs will now be categorized under hostels, lodgings, and boardings. This brings them under the purview of specific legal and operational regulations.

Parking Requirements: As part of hostel regulations, PGs must allocate at least 20% of their space for parking. This is expected to reduce parking disputes in residential areas.

Tourism Department Approval for Homestays: Properties used as homestays must obtain approval from the Tourism Department.

GDCR Compliance: PG facilities must strictly follow the General Development Control Regulations (GDCR) applicable to hostels. Any violations could lead to sealing or closure of the PG by AMC.

Special Provisions for Hostel and Lodging Units:

Hostels have now been officially classified under the hospitality category.

Hostels are permitted on roads at least 9 meters wide, while lodgings are only allowed on roads that are at least 18 meters wide.

Hostels must dedicate 20% of their built-up space to parking, while lodgings must allocate between 30% to 50%.

Adequate ventilation, sanitation, and compliance with fire safety norms are mandatory.

PGs in co-operative housing societies must obtain an NOC from the society.

Until now, there were no formal regulations for PG accommodations. Residents often filed complaints with the AMC, but action was limited to taxation issues. With these new SOPs, the AMC now has the authority to take comprehensive action, including the shutdown of non-compliant PGs.

These regulations are expected to bring much-needed transparency to PG operations and alleviate long-standing grievances of local residents. The move is being seen as a significant and much-awaited step for many residential societies in the city.

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