In Nepal’s growing towns and cities, the way we build our homes and buildings is becoming more important every day. One key aspect of construction that many people overlook is the ground coverage area. Simply put, ground coverage refers to the area of land that a building covers. It does not include balconies, open spaces, or gardens—just the part of the land directly under the structure.
Why is Ground Coverage Important?
In places like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other urban centers of Nepal, land is limited, and population is increasing. If every house covers 100% of the land, there will be no open space for sunlight, ventilation, drainage, or even trees. That's why Nepal's building codes—like those set by the Nepal Building Code (NBC) and local municipalities—have clear rules about how much of your land you can cover with a building.
For example, if you own a 1000 sq. ft. plot, and the law says only 60% ground coverage is allowed, your building footprint should not exceed 600 sq. ft.
Ground Coverage Rules Explained :
Understanding how much land your building can cover is very important when planning a construction in Nepal. Here are the basic ground coverage rules explained in a simple and relatable way:
1. What is Ground Coverage?
Ground coverage is the area that your building covers on the ground floor. It’s the “footprint” of your house or building on the land. Depending on the height of your building and other factors, the allowed ground coverage may change so you can make the most of your plot.
2. How is Ground Coverage Calculated?
It’s easy! Just divide the ground floor area of your building by the total land area of your plot, then multiply by 100 to get the percentage.
Formula:
Ground Coverage (%) = (Building Ground Floor Area ÷ Site Area) × 100
3. Visual Example
Imagine looking at your land from above. The total land is your plot, and the part of it covered by the building (seen from the top) is your ground coverage.
4. Limits for Residential and Mixed Buildings
If your land is up to 250 square meters, you can cover up to 70% of it.
If your land is more than 250 square meters, you can cover up to 60% of it.
5. Limits for Other Types of Buildings
For non-residential buildings like offices, schools, government buildings, etc., the maximum ground coverage is 50% of the total land.
6. What’s Not Counted in Ground Coverage?
Some things built outside the main building aren’t included in ground coverage, such as:Water pipes, drains, gutters, and culverts,Catch pits or sewer lines.
7. What About Boundary Walls?
Good news—compound walls (the walls around your land) don’t count as part of ground coverage either.
So here's are some case study related ground coverage area;
Case Study First : The Collapse of a Shrestha Family’s Dream in Kathmandu
In 2015, the Shrestha family built a four-storey house in Kathmandu. They broke the government’s building rules by using too much of the land and not leaving enough space around the house. They wanted to make the most of the space, but they didn’t think about safety.
Then the big earthquake came in 2072 B.S. (2015 A.D.). Their house collapsed and fell on the houses next door, killing three people.
Later, the government checked the damage and found that the house didn’t follow the earthquake safety rules. The pillars were placed too close to the edge of the property—less than one meter away—which made the house weak.
If the Shrestha family had followed the rules, those three people might still be alive today. Sadly, this is not just one story. Many people ignored safety to build bigger houses, and it cost lives. In the end, greed for space turned many homes into death traps.
Case Study Second: A Second Chance for Lapa Village
After the 2015 earthquake, the small village of Lapa in Dhading was almost completely destroyed. Nine out of ten homes were reduced to rubble. People had lost everything—houses, belongings, and loved ones. But what came after earthquake was a story of hope and smart choices for villager's.With help from the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), the villagers start to rebuild their houses by following the building rules carefully. They made sure their houses followed NBC 105 guidelines covering not more than 70% of their land and leaving at least 1.5 meters of open space around each home.
Gita Tamang resident of Lapa Village remembers her past decision and she said “At first, leaving open space around house is like wasting of my valuable land . “But now we trusted the engineers & Nepal Government”
In 2023, another strong earthquake hit that region. This time, Lapa Village was ready. Gita’s home didn’t even crack. “That empty space around our house it saved us,” she said, holding her daughter close.
Thanks to the right planning and construction, no lives were lost in Lapa that day. The village had learned from the past and chose safety over size.
Reasons to Respect Ground Coverage Laws:
In Nepal, respecting ground coverage laws during construction is very important for both safety and sustainability. Since Nepal lies in an earthquake-prone zone, these rules help make buildings stronger and safer. By following the coverage limit, we can also protect natural drainage systems, reduce flood risks, and keep enough open space for greenery. It also supports better planning in our cities—like ensuring proper ventilation, sunlight, and access to basic services such as roads and water lines. If we break these rules, we might face legal problems like fines, stop-work notices, or even building demolition. So, to build safe, healthy, and future-ready communities, it’s wise to follow the ground coverage laws set by the government.
Maximum Ground coverage Area:
Conclusion:
Ground coverage area is not just a technical rule—it’s a step toward safer, healthier, and more organized living. As Nepal continues to urbanize, it is our responsibility to follow these laws and build not only for ourselves but for the well-being of our neighbors and future generations. Let’s build wisely and respectfully.
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