Introductory note for a Bare Act page providing the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 text as a reference for regional planning, development plans, town planning schemes, development permissions and action against unauthorised development in Maharashtra.
Overview #
The Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 is the principal State legislation governing planned development of land in Maharashtra. It provides the statutory framework for preparation of Regional Plans, Development Plans and Town Planning Schemes, and regulates the use and development of land within planning areas.
The Act is important for landowners, developers, municipal bodies, planning authorities, lawyers, architects, healthcare establishments, educational institutions and industries because construction, change of land use, reservation of land, layout development and unauthorised construction issues commonly arise under this statute.
This page provides the Bare Act text for legal reference. The uploaded text indicates that it is updated as on 10 March 2025.
Object of the legislation #
The object of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 is to secure planned, orderly and regulated development of regions, cities and towns in Maharashtra. It aims to coordinate land use, infrastructure, public amenities, reservations, zoning, roads, open spaces and development control through statutory planning instruments.
The Act also seeks to ensure that development takes place only with permission of the competent Planning Authority and in conformity with the applicable Regional Plan, Development Plan, town planning scheme and development control requirements.
Scope and relevance #
The Act applies across Maharashtra and operates through different statutory authorities such as Regional Planning Boards, Planning Authorities, Special Planning Authorities and Area Development Authorities, depending on the notified area and planning context.
In practice, the Act is relevant whenever land is reserved in a Development Plan, when permission for construction or change of user is sought, when a town planning scheme reconstitutes plots, when land acquisition or purchase notice issues arise, or when a structure is alleged to be unauthorised.
For healthcare and pharmacy-sector users, the Act may become relevant when establishing hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, warehouses, manufacturing units or diagnostic facilities, because land-use permissions, building permissions and local planning restrictions may affect whether a premises can lawfully be used for the proposed activity.
Selected important provisions and themes #
- Sections 3 to 20 deal with regions, constitution and functions of Regional Planning Boards, preparation of Regional Plans, publication of plans, restrictions on change of user and revision or modification of Regional Plans.
- Sections 21 to 31 cover the Development Plan framework, including preparation, contents, publication of draft Development Plan, objections and sanction by the State Government.
- Sections 37 and 38 are important for modification and revision of a final Development Plan, including changes to planning proposals after a plan has come into operation.
- Section 40 provides for Special Planning Authorities for developing certain notified areas, a key mechanism for planned development outside ordinary municipal planning arrangements.
- Sections 43 to 51 regulate control of development and use of land included in Development Plans, including restrictions on development, applications for permission, grant or refusal, appeals, lapse of permission and revocation or modification of permission.
- Sections 52 to 58 deal with unauthorised development, including penalties, removal or discontinuance of unauthorised development, stopping unauthorised work and development undertaken on behalf of Government.
- Sections 59 to 95 contain the town planning scheme mechanism, including declaration of intention, draft schemes, reconstituted plots, compensation, arbitrator, tribunal of appeal, possession, enforcement and variation of schemes.
- Sections 42A to 42G provide for Area Development Authorities and development areas, including constitution, powers, functions and expenses of such authorities.
How to use this Bare Act #
- Use this Bare Act to identify the statutory source for planning permissions, Development Plan reservations, town planning schemes and unauthorised construction proceedings in Maharashtra.
- When researching a land-use or building-permission issue, first check whether the land falls under a Regional Plan, Development Plan, Special Planning Authority area or town planning scheme.
- For litigation or drafting, read the relevant section together with the applicable Development Control and Promotion Regulations, sanctioned plan, municipal law and Government notifications.
- For purchase, lease or project due diligence, verify land-use zoning, reservations, road widening proposals, development permissions and any notices issued under the Act.
- For current legal advice, confirm the latest amendments, notifications, sanctioned planning documents and local authority circulars in addition to this Bare Act text.
Related Bare Acts and statutes #
- Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966
- Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, 1949
- Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958
- Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999
- Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960
This is a Bare Act reference page and not legal advice. Planning law in Maharashtra is heavily affected by amendments, Government notifications, sanctioned Development Plans, Development Control and Promotion Regulations, municipal permissions and local authority decisions. Users should verify the latest official text and applicable local planning documents before relying on any provision.
