Building Categories
building-category
bidhimala
A1-A6
Building Categories Explained
ভবন শ্রেণিবিভাগ ব্যাখ্যা
What are building categories?
Under Bidhimala 2025 (Table 5), every development is classified into a building category that determines its Plot FAR, land-use eligibility, and design rules.
Residential sub-types (Group A)
| Code | Name | Typical use | FAR note |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Single Family Residence | Bungalow, detached house | Lowest residential FAR |
| A2 | Two Family Residence | Duplex, semi-detached | |
| A3 | Flat / Apartment | Multi-storey apartments | Most common; highest res. FAR |
| A4 | Mess / Hostel / Dormitory | Shared accommodation | |
| A5 | Hotel / Service Apartment | Hospitality | Commercial hospitality rules |
| A6 | Low-Cost Housing | ≥5 affordable units | Eligible for +0.75 incentive FAR |
Other major categories
| Code | Group | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| B | Educational | School, university, madrasa |
| C | Institutional | Mosque, government office |
| D | Healthcare | Hospital, clinic |
| E | Business / Office | Office tower, bank |
| F | Mercantile | Shopping mall, retail |
| G | Industrial | Factory (prohibited in most residential zones) |
| I | Assembly | Cinema, auditorium |
| J | Hazardous | Fuel station (EIA required) |
Why category selection matters
- Plot FAR varies significantly by category — an A3 apartment block gets a different FAR than an A1 bungalow on the same road
- Zone permission — industrial (G) is prohibited in R1–R3 residential zones
- Incentives — only A6 qualifies for the highest affordable-housing bonus (+0.75)
Select your category in the FAR Calculator to see applicable Plot FAR values.
References
- [1]
Building use classification
Dhaka Imarat Nirman Bidhimala 2025 · Table 5
- [2]
Plot FAR by category and road width
SRO 466/2025 · Appendix 3.5
- [3]
Land-use permission matrix
DAP 2022–2035 · Zone × Category schedule