Prerequisites
- ✓Property in Bengaluru with 5+ unrelated tenants intended
- ✓Building completion certificate / OC available
- ✓Fire safety NOC available or in process
TL;DR
BBMP PG licence is mandatory for any premises with 5+ unrelated tenants. Apply via BBMP portal with fire NOC, building OC, lease/deed, and operator KYC. Fee ₹2,000–₹10,000. Processing 8–16 weeks. Post-2023 fire incidents have tightened enforcement — operate without licence at significant risk.
Step-by-step
- 1
1. Obtain fire safety NOC
Karnataka State Fire & Emergency Services. Required separately before PG licence. Inspection covers exits, alarms, sprinklers (where applicable), emergency lighting. Cost ₹1,500–₹5,000 + remediation.
- 2
2. Compile documentation
Building OC / completion certificate, property tax receipt, lease/deed, GST registration (if applicable), Aadhaar/PAN of operator, fire NOC, electrical safety certificate, water quality test (some wards).
- 3
3. Submit BBMP application
BBMP citizen services portal or ward office. Fee ₹2,000–₹10,000 depending on bed count and ward. Application includes operating model declaration (food included? sex-segregated? etc.).
- 4
4. Inspection by BBMP officer
4–10 weeks after application. Inspector reviews fire safety, room sizes, amenity ratios, sex-segregation compliance (some wards), kitchen hygiene.
- 5
5. Address inspection conditions and receive licence
Most applications receive conditions — typically minor fire safety upgrades, signage, additional documentation. Address within 30 days; licence is granted thereafter.
- 6
6. Display licence and renew annually
PG licence is annual. Renew within 30 days of expiry. Display licence number prominently. BBMP can issue closure orders for non-displayed licences post-2023.
Common issues + fixes
×Fire NOC delayed beyond PG application timing
→Apply for fire NOC first, then start PG application 4–6 weeks later. Doing both in parallel risks PG application rejection on missing fire NOC.
×BBMP officer cites sex-segregation rules in mixed-gender PG
→Some wards interpret PG rules as mandating sex-segregation; others don't. Ward-level discretion is meaningful. Be prepared to either (a) operate single-gender-per-floor or (b) escalate to BBMP HQ for clarification — the rules are interpretation-driven, not statutory.
×Post-2023 enforcement triggering retrospective compliance demands
→Bengaluru and Hyderabad fire incidents in 2023 triggered statewide enforcement reviews. Operators that pre-date the new fire-safety thresholds are being asked to retrofit. Don't fight this — comply quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a PG licence to run coliving in Bengaluru?
If your property has 5+ unrelated tenants — yes, BBMP PG licence is mandatory. Operating without it carries closure risk and tenant-compensation exposure post-2023.
How much does a PG licence cost in Bengaluru?
₹2,000–₹10,000 application fee depending on bed count and ward. Annual renewal at similar cost. Add fire NOC fees ₹1,500–₹5,000.
How long does the PG application take?
8–16 weeks from submission to licence. Faster if all documentation is complete and fire NOC is already in hand.
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