How many floors can I build on a residential plot in DHA Karachi?

Residential plots in DHA Karachi allow Basement + Ground + 1 upper floor under the current PDOHA 2020 bylaws, with the main building up to 32 ft and an overall height up to 45 ft.

What is the covered area allowed in Bahria Town Karachi?

Bahria Town Karachi allows about 70% ground coverage on 125 sq yd villas, 65% on 250 sq yd, and 50% on 500 sq yd and above, limited to Ground + 1 floor with a 30 ft height limit; basements are permitted from 500 sq yd.

What are the setbacks in DHA City Karachi?

Setbacks in DHA City Karachi increase with plot size — for example a 251–350 sq yd plot leaves 5 ft front, 3 ft rear and 5 ft on one side, while 451–800 sq yd plots leave 10 ft front, 6 ft rear and 5 ft sides.

Plot Coverage & Bylaw Calculator (DHA Karachi, DHA City, Bahria, SBCA)

Q: How much can I build on a 240 sq yd plot in DHA Karachi?

A 240 sq yd plot falls in DHA Karachi's 201–400 sq yd band, which allows 75% ground coverage — roughly 1,600 sq ft per floor after setbacks, and around 3,200 sq ft over Ground and First floor, plus a basement.

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Zell Tools · Karachi

What can I build on my plot?

Pick your authority and plot size to see the allowable covered area, setbacks, floors and height limits under the current building bylaws — with a to-scale layout of your buildable area.

Authority / scheme

Plot size

Blue = house · light blue = car porch · green = front open space · white = required setbacks

Allowable covered area (per floor)

1,612 sq ft

≈ 179 sq yd footprint · about 3,224 sq ft of living space

Plot band201 – 400 sq yd

Ground coverage75%

Floors allowedBasement + Ground + 1

Front open space5 ft

Rear open space3 ft

Side open space5 ft (one side)

Side open space applies to the right side only.

Height limits

Ground floor (internal)9'-6" min · 15'-0" max

Main building (to roof top)32'-0" max

Overall (incl. stair tower / tank)45'-0" max

Basement clear height8'-0" min

Boundary wall (from road crown)10'-0" max

Get an expert feasibility review

This is an indicative guide. Send your plot details and a Zell advisor will give you an exact, bylaw-checked breakdown — coverage, floors, parking and approvals — free, no obligation.

Important: this tool gives indicative guidance based on the PDOHA Building Control & Town Planning Regulations, 2020 for standard residential plots. It is not an approved plan, architectural drawing, or a substitute for a licensed architect or official sanction. Corner, amalgamated, park-facing and special-zone plots have different rules, and bylaws are amended from time to time. Always confirm with a professional before you buy or build.

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Karachi covered area & building bylaws — explained

How much you can build on a residential plot in Karachi depends on your authority — DHA Karachi, DHA City, Bahria Town or SBCA (the rest of the city). Two rules decide it together: the allowable ground coverage (a percentage of your plot per floor) and the compulsory open space (setbacks) you must leave open. The smaller of the two governs your buildable footprint.

Ground coverage by authority

In DHA Karachi, coverage runs from 90% (up to 200 sq yd) down to 50% (701 sq yd+). DHA City Karachi is similar — 90% on small plots down to 50% on the largest — with a finer band structure. Bahria Town Karachi allows 70% on 125 sq yd villas, 65% on 250 sq yd, and 50% on 500 sq yd and above. Across DHA schemes and Bahria, residential plots are limited to Basement + Ground + 1 (Bahria allows basements from 500 sq yd). Under SBCA, plots up to 399 sq yd may rise to three storeys (35 ft) while 400 sq yd and above are capped at two storeys (25 ft).

Frequently asked questions

How much can I build on a 240 sq yd plot in DHA Karachi?
A 240 sq yd plot sits in the 201–400 band — 75% coverage, roughly 1,600 sq ft per floor after setbacks, and around 3,200 sq ft over Ground and First floor, plus a basement.

How many floors can I build in Bahria Town Karachi?
Residential villas allow Ground + 1 floor, with basements permitted from 500 sq yd upwards, and a 30 ft height limit.

Are corner or park-facing plots different?
Yes. Corner, amalgamated, park-facing and special-zone plots have their own rules, and bylaws are amended periodically. Use the calculator above as a quick guide, then request a free feasibility review for an exact, plot-specific answer from a Zell advisor.