| Primary value | 33–60 % ((typical Indian residential)) |
| Applies to | Residential plots in most Indian cities |
| Exceptions | Low density / Independent housing → 33-40% |
| Medium density / Group housing → 40-50% | |
| High density / Apartments → 50-60% | |
| Commercial / Mixed-use → 60-75% | |
| Small plots (plotted development) → Up to 90% for plots <50 m², 75% for plots 101-250 m² as per NBC model. | |
| Group Housing → Typically lower, around 30-35%, to ensure large, contiguous community open spaces. | |
| Basements → A basement fully below the ground level is generally not counted towards ground coverage. | |
| Measured as | Built-up footprint of building (largest floor plate) ÷ plot area, expressed as %. |
| Source | NBC 2016 — NBC 2016, Part 3, Clause 8.2.3 and Tables 7 & 8. Note: Final values are mandated by local Development Control Regulations (DCRs) which may differ. ✓ Verified |
Ground coverage dictates the building's footprint, directly impacting the availability of open space. In the Indian context, these open areas are critical for natural light, cross-ventilation, mitigating urban heat island effect, facilitating rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, and ensuring adequate access for fire tenders as per NBC Part 4.
Ground coverage is a primary constraint alongside Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and height limits. While often determined by the maximum envelope left after setbacks, the DCR-prescribed percentage is the legal maximum, whichever is less. For example, a 500 m² plot may have a theoretical buildable footprint of 65% after setbacks, but if the DCR limits ground coverage to 50%, the latter must be followed.