Commencement Certificate Bangalore (Building CC Guide 2026)

Learn what a Building Commencement Certificate is, when you need it in Bangalore, how to get it from BBMP/GBA via the BPAS portal, documents needed, and consequences of building without one.

Quick Summary: (TL; DR)

• A Commencement Certificate (CC) is a formal authorisation from the local planning authority (GBA/BBMP in Bengaluru) to start construction on a site after building plan approval.

• It is issued in two stages in Bengaluru: Plinth CC (to begin construction up to plinth level) and Further CC (to continue construction after plinth inspection).

• Legal basis: Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976 (Chapter XV) and the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1961.

• Mandatory for: all buildings requiring building plan approval, larger residences, apartments, commercial buildings, and BDA/BBMP/GBA-approved developments.

• From July 1, 2025: e-Khata is mandatory for CC applications in GBA/BBMP jurisdiction.

• CC is applied for through the BPAS portal at bpas. bbmpgov. Through a BBMP-registered architect, owners cannot apply directly.

• Issuing authority: Zonal Assistant Director of Town Planning (ADTP) for buildings up to B+G+M+3 floors; Head Office for taller buildings.

• Building without a CC is a legal violation; it can result in stop-work orders, demolition of unauthorised portions, and inability to obtain an Occupancy Certificate or home loans.

• CC is not to be confused with Certificate to Commence Business (a company/ROC document) , these are entirely different documents.

Note: All procedures and requirements are as of March 2026 under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), which took over from BBMP in October 2025. Verify current requirements at bpas.bbmpgov.in before applying.

What Is Commencement Certificate for Building?

A Building Commencement Certificate, also called a CC or Certificate of Commencement, is an official document issued by the local planning authority confirming that:

• The building plan has been duly sanctioned

• The site is ready for construction to begin

• All pre-construction conditions specified during plan sanction have been complied with

• Foundation and subsurface investigation certificates have been submitted

• Structural safety in design has been certified by a licensed Structural Engineer

In Bengaluru, the CC is issued by the Town Planning Section of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), which took over from BBMP in October 2025. The Town Planning Section handles building plan sanctions, Commencement Certificates, and Occupancy Certificates under Chapter XV of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976.

• A building plan sanction is permission to build.

• A Commencement Certificate is permission to start building. They are not the same document.

Also Read: What is Building Completion Certificate in Karnataka?

Example:

Your building plan is sanctioned. The architect hands you a set of drawings. You are ready to break ground. But one document stands between the building plan approval and the first shovel of earth. The Commencement Certificate.

Most property buyers in Bengaluru have heard that the Occupancy Certificate is needed before moving in. Far fewer know that the Commencement Certificate is required before a single brick is laid. And that building without one can lead to stop-work orders, demolitions, and a property that banks refuse to touch.

Why Is There a Separate Commencement Certificate?

Building plan approval confirms that the proposed design meets setback norms, FAR limits, height restrictions, and zoning regulations. It does not confirm that the site itself is ready for construction.

The CC bridges this gap. Before issuing the CC, the authority verifies:

• The subsurface investigation has been done, and the foundation design is safe (Form VI(a))

• The structural safety in design has been independently certified (Form VI(b))

• Any conditions attached to the building plan sanction have been complied with

• Property tax dues are up to date

• e-Khata is in place (mandatory from July 1, 2025, for GBA/BBMP jurisdiction)

What Are the Two Stages of the Commencement Certificate in Bengaluru?

In Bengaluru under GBA/BBMP, the Commencement Certificate is issued in two stages, not as a single document covering the entire construction. This is a critical point that most property buyers miss.

In practice, the builder submits compliance with plinth conditions online after the Plinth CC is used. The joint site inspection is then arranged by the system on a GBA-generated date. Only after inspection clearance is the Further CC issued.

Note: Compliance of conditions at both CC stages must be submitted online through the BPAS portal. Site inspection is system-scheduled, not arranged separately by the applicant or architect.

Who Needs a Commencement Certificate in Karnataka?

Not every construction in Karnataka requires a Commencement Certificate. The requirement depends on the size, type, and jurisdiction of the building.

Note: The Greater Bengaluru Authority relaxed OC (and by extension CC) requirements for residential buildings on plots up to 1,200 sq ft (30×40) for up to 3 storeys in 2025. However, building plan approval remains mandatory. Confirm with your architect whether CC is required for your specific plot size and construction type before starting.

Also Read: What is Occupancy Certificate and How to get One?

Documents Required for Commencement Certificate in Karnataka

The CC application is submitted online through the BPAS portal by a BBMP-registered architect, not by the owner directly. The architect compiles and submits the following documents:

Also Read: How to download property tax receipt Online?

How to Apply for Commencement Certificate Online in Bengaluru (BPAS Portal)

The CC application is done entirely online through the BPAS portal (Building Plan Approval System) at bpas.bbmpgov.in. The application is submitted by the BBMP-registered architect, not the property owner. Owners must appoint a BBMP-empanelled architect before proceeding.

Step 1: Appoint a BBMP-Registered Architect

Only BBMP-empanelled professionals can submit applications on the BPAS portal. Appoint a licensed architect and structural engineer. Execute appointment letters. The architect will handle the BPAS portal submission using their professional login credentials.

Step 2: Log in to the BPAS Portal (Architect's Login)

The architect logs in to the BPAS portal using their professional credentials. From the dashboard, they navigate to 'Commencement Certificate' under the Building Applications section.

Step 3: Enter Property and Application Details

The architect enters the property's DPMS Building Permit Number from the plan sanction stage. The system auto-fetches the sanctioned plan details, plot details, permitted floors, FAR, setbacks, and any conditions attached to the sanction.

The CC stage is then selected: Plinth CC for first-time application, or Further CC for post-plinth inspection compliance.

Step 4: Upload Required Documents

The architect uploads all required documents as PDF files through the portal:

• e-Khata certificate

• Up-to-date property tax receipt

• Form VI(a) , Subsurface investigation certificate

• Form VI(b), Structural safety in design certificate

• Compliance statements for any special conditions from plan sanction

• Appointment letters of architect and structural engineer

Step 5: Pay the CC Fee

A demand note is generated by the system based on the building size and type. The CC fee is calculated per the GBA/BBMP building permit fee schedule. Payment is made online via the BPAS portal , net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card.

The fee amount varies based on plot area, number of floors, and building usage. Use the fee calculator at bpas.bbmpgov.in to estimate the applicable charge.

Step 6: GBA/BBMP Reviews and Issues CC

After submission and fee payment, the application goes to the Zonal Assistant Director of Town Planning (ADTP) for review. For buildings above B+G+4 floors, the Head Office processes the application.

If documents are complete and compliant, the Plinth CC is issued online through the BPAS portal. The architect receives an SMS and email notification. The CC is downloadable directly from the portal.

Step 7: Plinth Level Completion and Joint Inspection

After Plinth CC is received and construction reaches plinth level, the architect submits plinth completion compliance online through the BPAS portal. The system auto-schedules a joint site inspection by GBA/BBMP and concerned departments.

At inspection, officials verify that the plinth matches the sanctioned plan, dimensions, setbacks, and column positions. If compliant, the system clears the plinth inspection.

Note: The joint inspection date is system-generated and communicated by SMS and email. The applicant or architect cannot separately request or advance the inspection date.

Step 8: Apply for Further CC

After plinth inspection clearance, the architect applies for Further CC on the BPAS portal , the same process as Plinth CC but for the superstructure stage. On approval, construction can proceed floor by floor as per the sanctioned plan.

Any deviation from the sanctioned plan at this stage, extra floor, reduced setback, additional FAR , will block the Occupancy Certificate and may require regularisation or demolition.

Commencement Certificate vs Occupancy Certificate: What Is the Difference?

Property buyers often confuse the CC and the OC. They are issued at opposite ends of the construction timeline and serve completely different purposes.

What Happens If a Building Is Constructed Without a Commencement Certificate?

Building without a CC is a violation under the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976. The consequences are serious and long-lasting.

Consequence and the Impact

• Stop-work order: GBA/BBMP can issue a stop-work order at any stage. All construction halts immediately until the violation is remedied.

• Demolition notice: Unauthorised portions, any construction beyond what was permitted without CC, can be ordered for demolition.

• OC not issuable: An Occupancy Certificate cannot be issued for a building constructed without a valid CC. The building cannot be legally occupied.

• Home loans blocked: Banks and housing finance companies require the CC as part of their due diligence for under-construction properties. No CC typically means no loan sanction.

• Resale complications: A buyer's lawyer will identify the absence of CC during title verification. Resale becomes difficult, the buyer cannot get a loan, and takes on legal risk.

• Regularisation, not guaranteed: Karnataka has regularisation schemes (Akrama-Sakrama, Rajyotsava Unnata), but these are not permanent or guaranteed. Regularisation fees can be substantial, and not all violations are regularisable.

• BESCOM and BWSSB connections: Permanent electricity (BESCOM) and water (BWSSB) connections typically require OC, which requires CC. Buildings without CC face utility connection problems.

CC absence in an under-construction building is not a technicality. It is a legal defect that directly affects the buyer's ability to obtain a loan, secure permanent utilities, and resell the property.

What Should a Property Buyer Check Regarding a Commencement Certificate?

If you are buying an under-construction apartment or plot in Bengaluru, here is what to verify:

Also Read: How to Check E-Khata Status online/offline in bangalore?

Need Help Verifying CC and Building Approvals Before Buying in Bengaluru?

Before buying an under-construction or completed property in Bengaluru, verifying the Commencement Certificate, building plan sanction, and Occupancy Certificate is non-negotiable. Vault Proptech handles complete building approval verification for property buyers in Karnataka:

• Verifying Plinth CC and Further CC authenticity for under-construction projects

• Checking building plan sanction status and validity on the BPAS portal

• Identifying stop-work orders, outstanding betterment charges, or CC violations

• Full pre-purchase due diligence, EC, title verification, building approvals, CC, and OC status

• Assisting NRI buyers with remote property due diligence and approval verification in Bengaluru

Get your Legal Property documents with Vault Proptech.