Urban and Regional Planning (Development Plans Guidelines and Exempted Development Classes) Regulations, 2023 (SI 21 of 2023).

These Regulations consisting of 21 articles organized into five Parts aim to categorize different land uses and specifies the conditions under which planning authorities may grant development permits and regulate the following main topics (i) diagrams and plans concerning requirements for land use maps, including utilities, transportation layout, and information needed on maps. It is established that an integrated development plan and a local area plan must include a land use map showing how land is intended to be utilized or developed, aligned with zones specified in the relevant schedules. The planning authority can issue development permits based on these maps, adhering to specified conditions and regulations. Certain zones on the map are color-coded and development is phased over two five-year periods following plan approval. The map must include specific details like the planning authority's name, a legend, and approval signatures. In case of discrepancies, larger scale maps, documents, and symbols take precedence over smaller maps, colors, or drawings; (ii) dissemination of plans concerning the procedures for providing copies of approved development plans to relevant authorities according to the following steps: a planning authority must distribute copies of an approved development plan to the Minister, Director, relevant provincial and local authorities, and the chief of customary land involved. Moreover, the authority must keep at least one copy in its registry. For draft and amended plans, the planning authority must publish these documents using specific forms outlined in the Third Schedule; (iii) exemptions: certain developments specified in the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Schedules are exempt from requiring a development permit, provided they comply with set conditions and do not violate planning regulations, create traffic hazards, or affect public safety and heritage sites. Exemptions do not apply to developments involving significant changes like widening access roads, building along roadways, or activities requiring environmental assessments. The Minister may revoke exemptions in specific areas or for particular developments. Internal or external residential alterations not increasing the building's size are exempt.
Key categories of land use include agricultural activities, commercial establishments like banks and bakeries, recreational facilities such as amusement parks and golf clubs, and essential services like hospitals and health centers. The Regulations also address specific areas such as water protection and game protection areas, indicating which types of developments are permissible in these sensitive zones.
The five Parts of the REgulations are entitled as follows (1) Preliminary provisions; (2) Diagrams and Plans of Development Plans; (3) Dissemination of approved Development Plans; (4) Notices relating to advertisement of draft Plans and amendments to Plans; (5) Exemptions from the requirement to obtain a development Permit.