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CMDA approval charges in Chennai — 2026 real breakdown

Most homeowners only see the total figure. Here's the full fee breakdown — what's the government's share, what's refundable, what the consultant charges.

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Quick answer

CMDA approval charges in 2026 for a typical 1,500 sq ft residential home: ₹60,000–₹1,40,000 total. Breakdown — development charge ₹1,800–₹4,800, scrutiny fee ₹2,500–₹6,000, refundable security deposit ₹40,000–₹80,000, infrastructure fees ₹3,000–₹18,000, consultant fee ₹15,000–₹50,000. Non-refundable portion after deposit return: ₹20,000–₹60,000.

Full fee breakdown (2026 residential)

Cost head1,000 sq ft1,500 sq ft2,000 sq ft3,000 sq ft
Development charge₹1,200₹2,400₹3,500₹4,800
Scrutiny fee₹2,500₹3,800₹4,500₹5,500
Security deposit (refundable)₹30,000₹50,000₹65,000₹80,000
Infrastructure fees₹3,000₹6,500₹10,000₹15,000
Homeli consultant fee₹15,000₹22,000₹30,000₹45,000
Total₹51,700₹84,700₹1,13,000₹1,50,300
After deposit refund₹21,700₹34,700₹48,000₹70,300
Security deposit is refundable. Returned by CMDA after final inspection at project completion (typically 12–18 months after first sanction). Apply for refund proactively — it doesn't come automatically.

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Frequently asked

How much does CMDA approval cost in Chennai for a 1,500 sq ft house?
In 2026, approximately ₹85,000 total: development charge ₹2,400, scrutiny fee ₹3,800, refundable security deposit ₹50,000, infrastructure fees ₹6,500, Homeli consultant fee ₹22,000. After the security deposit is refunded at project completion, the net cost is ₹35,000.
Is the CMDA security deposit refundable?
Yes, fully refundable after the final inspection at project completion. CMDA returns it to the bank account submitted with the application. Apply proactively — submit refund application with the completion certificate, photographs and inspection clearance. Refund processing typically takes 60–90 days after application.
What is the development charge in CMDA approval?
The development charge is a per-square-metre government fee for the built area of your proposed building. Rate varies by zone (residential lower, commercial higher) and use category. For a residential 1,500 sq ft built-up: approximately ₹2,400 in 2026. Calculated automatically by the CMDA portal at filing.
Can I pay CMDA fees in instalments?
No — all fees (development charge + scrutiny + security deposit + infrastructure) must be paid in full at the time of online filing through the CMDA portal. Payment is required before the application moves to scrutiny. The full amount is paid online via net banking or UPI.
Why is my CMDA fee higher than my neighbour's?
CMDA charges scale with built area (FSI consumed), not plot area. A neighbour with smaller built-up area pays less even on a similar plot. Also, zone classification matters — residential zones pay lower development charges than mixed-use or commercial. Infrastructure charges scale with utility load (larger buildings, higher amenity load = higher infrastructure fee).
Are there hidden CMDA fees I should know about?
Beyond the standard four (development + scrutiny + security deposit + infrastructure), there can be: revision fees if you change drawings after filing, additional NOC fees (fire, AAI for plots near airports, CRZ for coastal plots), and conversion charges if changing land use category. Homeli's consultant fee covers handling all these — government charges are paid at actuals through the portal.

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