DHA Karachi construction bylaws (2026)

If you own — or are about to buy — a residential plot in DHA Karachi, the single most important question is: how much can you actually build on it? The answer is set by the PDOHA Building Control & Town Planning Regulations, 2020.

Updated July 2026 · Based on PDOHA Building Control & Town Planning Regulations, 2020

If you own — or are about to buy — a residential plot in DHA Karachi, the single most important question is: how much can you actually build on it? The answer is set by the PDOHA Building Control & Town Planning Regulations, 2020. This guide explains the rules in plain English, with the exact figures by plot size.

Two rules decide everything

How much you can build is governed by two things working together. The first is allowable ground coverage — the percentage of your plot you may build on for each floor. The second is compulsory open space (COS), the setbacks you must leave open on the front, rear and sides. Whichever is more restrictive is what actually limits your house.

Ground coverage & setbacks by plot size

• Up to 200 sq yd: coverage 90%, front —, rear —, sides —, floors B+G+1
• 201–400 sq yd: coverage 75%, front 5 ft, rear 3 ft, sides 5 ft (one side), floors B+G+1
• 401–700 sq yd: coverage 65%, front 10 ft, rear 5 ft, sides 5 ft, floors B+G+1
• 701 sq yd & above: coverage 50%, front 20 ft, rear 10 ft, sides 10 ft, floors B+G+1

A car porch or garage is required for all plots of 401 sq yd and above.

Height limits

Across all residential categories, internal floor heights run 9'-6" to 15'-0". The main building may rise to 32 ft, with an overall height up to 45 ft including the stair tower and water tank. The basement needs a minimum 8'-0" clear height, and the boundary wall may be up to 10'-0" from the road crown.

Worked example: a 240 sq yd plot

A 240 sq yd plot (about 36 ft × 60 ft) sits in the 201–400 band, so 75% ground coverage applies. After leaving 5 ft front, 3 ft rear and a 5 ft side setback, the buildable footprint is roughly 1,600 sq ft per floor — around 3,200 sq ft of living space over Ground and First floor, plus a basement. You can see this drawn to scale, for your exact plot, with our plot & bylaw calculator.

What the calculator doesn't replace

Corner plots, amalgamated plots, park-facing plots and special zones carry their own rules, and bylaws are amended from time to time. Treat these figures as a strong starting point — then confirm with a licensed architect and PDOHA before you design or buy. A Zell advisor can arrange a free, plot-specific feasibility review.