HOUSING PLANNING, BUILDING, AND DESIGN GUIDELINES

I. TIME-SAVER STANDARDS FOR BUILDING TYPES

1. Principles of neighborhood planning
Site planning involves consideration of the site
in relation to the physical pattern and economic
growth trends of the larger area.
1.1 Size – A residential unit development
should provide housing for that
population for which one elementary
school is ordinarily required, its actual
area depending upon its population
density.
1.2 Boundaries – The unit should be
bounded by arterial street sufficiently
wide to facilitate traffic.
1.3 Open Spaces – Small Park and
recreation space should be provided.
1.4 Institution Sites – Sites for school and
other institution should be grouped
about a central point or common.
1.5 Local Shopping Center – If warranted by
the population, it should be located at
the edge of an arterial traffic junction
and adjacent to similar commercial
districts.
1.6 Internal Street System – Each highway
must be proportioned to its probable
traffic load, and the street net designed
to facilitate circulation within the unit
with good access to main arteries.
2. Housing Types
It is no longer considered good practice to limit housing within a subdivision to one type and price range.
For larger sites not only may the types of single-family houses be varied, but rental housing of either
high-rise or garden types may be included where zoning permit
2.1 Single- family housing – Area of 60 ft
(18.29m) is considered the minimum
width and 70 to 80 ft (21.34 m – 24.38
m) is more usual. Split-level house is
also popular in subdivision work
because it provides the economy of the
two-story house but requires less street
climbing

2.2 Row houses or town houses –

Economical use of land and low site-
development costs. Lots should be 20 to
25 ft (6.10 m – 7.62 m) wide; wider lots
with side yards should be provided at
the ends of the groups.
 2.3 Rental housing – Built at lower densities
and with more emphasis on open space.
Densities of 15 to 25 families per acre
and coverages of 15 to 25 percent are
standard in well-designed garden
apartment developments.

3. Lot sizes and development costs

Superblock – Used by site planners to keep the cost
of developed lot from rising. It is typically a long,
shallow block with a dimension of 600 to 800 ft
(182.88 m – 243.84 m) by 200 to 250 ft (60.96 m
– 76.2 m). It reduces the number of cross streets
and eliminates the need for utilities in them. Deep
superblocks penetrated by culs-de-sac or loop
streets are also used.

Table for Lots Sizes and dwelling densities

Dwelling Unit Type for Lot Dimensions per dwelling unit in meters Net Density: Dwelling
Single Family units/acres
Detached Houses 30.48 m x 60.96 m 2.0
24.38 m x 48.77 m 3.5
21.34 m x 42.67 m 3.3
18.29 m x 38.10 m 4.3
15.24 m x 30.48 m 6.5
Semi-Detached Houses 9.14 m x 38.10 m 8.7
7.92 m x 38.10 m 10.0
Row Houses, two story 6.10 m x 30.48 m 16.3
4.88 m x 30.48 m 20.4
Garden Apartments, two story 15-25
Garden Apartments, three story 25-35
Apartments, multiple stories to 12 stories 50-85
4. Streets
4.1 Collector Streets – Carrying traffic from
minor streets to arterial streets. Paved
width of 36 ft (10.97 m), consisting of
two moving lanes and two parking
lanes.
4.2 Minor Streets – Depends on off-street
parking provisions. 26 ft (7.92 m) wide
for single-family detached and 32 ft
(9.75 m) for row houses and
apartments.
4.3 Short Access Streets – culs-de-sac or
loop streets. Minimum paved width of
20 ft (6.10 m).
4.4 Culs-de-sac – turning circle less than
80 ft (24.38 m) in diameter between
 curbs. Should not be in excess of 500
ft (152.4 m) in length.
4.5 RROW – 60 ft (18.29 m) wide for
collector streets; 50 ft (15.24 m) for
minor streets; 40 ft (12.19 m) for culs-
de-sac and minor access streets
4.6 T intersection – at least a 125 ft (38.10
m) separation between opposing
intersections.
5. Sidewalks
4 ft. is the customary design width for sidewalks.
When combined with the curb they may sometimes
be as narrow as 3 ft 6 in.; in commercial area they
should be much wider. When sidewalks are
separated from the curb by a planting strip, the
strip should be at least 3 ft wide. If trees are
included it should be at least 7 ft wide.

6. Lot Layout
LEGENDS:
1. Excess underground utilities at end of block
required.
2. No underground utilities at end of block.
3. Rear overhead utility easement.
4. Street overhead utilities.
5. Increased corner lot width.
6. Corner lots too narrow.
7. Good use of butt lot.
8. Butt lots require extra utilities with bad view
down rear lot line.
9. Good lotting at street intersection.
10. Required underground utilities.
II. NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY DESIGN MANUAL
1. Related Documents
1.1 Memorandum Circular 2267 Program: Local Housing Program
Date of Effectivity: 05 February 2010
Provision: Project implementers other than NHA
are to prepare site development and building
plans.
1.2 Memorandum Circular 2420 Program: In-city Housing Programs for ISFs
Living in Danger Areas in Metro Manila
Date of Effectivity: 17 March 2012
Provision: 2- to 5-storey residential multi-family
walk-up buildings to be adopted; general design
requirements listed therein.
Maximum cost allocations for cost of land, land
development, and housing construction per family:
• Off-city – Php. 290,000
• 2-storey – Php. 295,000
• 3-storey – Php. 392,000
• 4-storey – Php. 485,000
1.3 Memorandum Circular 2451 Program: In-City (Alternative Scheme)
Date of Effectivity: 10 July 2012
Provision: Php. 400,000 maximum cost allocation
for cost of land, land development, and housing
construction per family.
1.1 Memorandum Circular 2581 Program: In-City (Financing through Community
Initiative Approach)
Date of Effectivity: 13 March 2013
Provision: Php. 400,000 maximum cost allocation
for cost of land, land development, and housing
construction per family.
Building construction specifications in annexes B-1
and B-2.
1.1 Memorandum Circular 2427 Program: Resettlement Assistance Program for
Local Government Units (RAP-LGU)
Date of Effectivity: 26 April 2012
Provision: 1 hectare minimum for LGU-provided
land
• Maximum residential area – 65% of total
land area.
• Model lot sizes – 40 sq. m. for row houses;
80 sq. m. for single-detached houses
• Rowhouse floor area – 20 sq. m.
• Rowhouse development cost – Php.
120,000
1.4 Memorandum Circular 2435 Program: Enhanced Resettlement Housing
Package
Date of Effectivity: 29 May 2012
Provision: House and lot package – Php. 240,000
• Land use allocation – 66% saleable; 30%
roads; 4% community facilities.
• Maximum density per hectare – 165
units/ha. using 40 sq. m. lots
• Model to be adopted – 22 sq. m. loftable
house.
 1.5 Memorandum Circular 2739 Program: Adoption of New Technologies to NHA
Housing Models for Typhoon Yolanda
Date of Effectivity: 14 July 2015
Provision: Models for adoption:
• RH1 – 22 sq. m. loftable
• RH2 – 26 sq. m. without loft
• RH3- 28.40 sq. m. without loft
1.6 Memorandum Circular 20125-15 Program: Site Selection, Site Suitabliity, and Site
Planning of NHA Housing Development Projects.
Date of Effectivity: 29 December 2015
Provision: Walkable communities are to be
promoted.
• Land use allocation – 60% net saleable;
40% non-saleable.
Maximum densities per hectare:
• Horizontal developments – 150 units/ha.
• Vertical developments:
 2-storey – 192 units/ha.
 3-storey – 252 units/ha.
 4-storey – 336 units/ha.
 5-storey – 420 units/ha.
• Maximum number of rowhouses in a block
– 8 units.
2. Housing Models
Design Standards:
According to BP 220 IRR minimum lot size of 28 sq. m. and minimum floor area for a socialized housing
unit at 18 sq. m. Land use ratio for buildable and non-buildable areas is set at 70%-30%. Though NHA
improved its own design standards in terms of lot and housing unit sizes. The most recently approved
guideline for site development is now set at 60% saleable and 40% non-saleable.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR ONE-STOREY DWELLING UNITS

1. Concrete Works
1.1 Footing Concrete:
A. Column Footing – 0.80m x 0.80m x o 24 MPA @ 28 days;
0.225m with 5-12mm. RSB both o 17.3 MPA @ 28 days;
ways Reinforcing Bars
B. Wall Footing o Fy = 415 MPA - 16mm Ø
o WF 1 – 04.0m x 0.225 with 2- o Fy = 275 MPA - 12mm Ø
12mmØ cont. RSB with
10mmØ RSB lateral ties @
300mm
 o WF 2 – 0.30m x 0.225m with
2-12mmØ cont. RSB with
10mmØ RSB lateral ties @
300mm
1.2 Beams and Columns
A. Loft Floor Beams Rafter – Beam as
shown on the Structural Sheet.
B. Columns – 0.25m x 0.175 m w/ 4-
16mmØ vertical bar with 10mmØ
lateral ties, 1 @ 50mm; 4 @ 100mm.
Rest @
1.3 CHB Wall
A. Firewall/Party Walls Fire resistant as required by BP 220, National
Building Code and Bureau of Fire Protection
Code; 150mm. Thk CHB with 10mm Ø horizontal
bar @ every 3rd layer
B. Exterior Wall 100mm thk. CHB with 10mmØ vert. bar @0.60m
o.c. and 10mmØ hor
C. Interior Wall 100mm thk. CHB with 10mmØ vert bar @ 0.60m
o.c. and 10mmØ horizontal bar @ every 3rd
layer of CHB
1.4 Flooring 100mm thk. Concrete floor slab with 10mmØ
temperature bars spaced @ 0.40m
1.5 Kitchen Countertop 100mm thk. Concrete countertop with 10mmØ
bar spaced @ 0.25m o.c.
1.6 Concrete Gutter 75mm thk. Concrete gutter with 10mmØ cont.
bar with 10mmØ lateral ties @ 0.40m o.c.; with
waterproofing
2. Tinsmithry and steel works
2.1 Roofing 0.505mm thk. Or GA #26 corrugated G.I. oofing
with 5mmØ J-Bolt
2.2 Purlins 150mm x 65mm x 20mm 2.0mm Lip channel
purlins on inclined R.C. Beam @ 0.70 m.o.c
2.3 Sag Rods 12mmØ Sag rods @ midspan
2.4 Structural Steel and Reinforcing Bars Structural steel and reinforcing bars shall be of
standard quality and as specified under design
criteria sheet.
3. Plumbing
3.1 Water A. Blue PVC pipes; sizes as indicated on plans
A. Water Pipes B. As approved by MWSS and must have passed
required testing
3.2 Sewer Pipes Black or Orange PVC sewer pipes series 1000 of
A. Sewer Pipes and Fittings known brand all pipes and fittings materials to
be used shall be approved by MWSS and should
have passed required listing; sizes as indicated
on
Plans.
3.3 Drainage Works
A. Drainage Pipes Black/Gray 10mm. Dia. PVC pipes, series 1000
B. Downspouts Black/Gray 100mm. Dia. PVC pipe, series 1000
C. Catch Basin CHB reinforced concrete; sizes and details as
shown indicated in the plans and drawing
3.4 Fixtures
A. Faucet Brass Faucet
B. Water Closet Pail Flush Type
 C. Floor Drain 75mm x 75 mm stainless steel
D. Kitchen Sink 400mm x 600mm stainless steel with P-trap
3.5 Septic Tank Purifying polyethylene septic tank (3-
chambered)
3. Disaster Resilient
III. CONSERVATION DESIGN FOR SUBDIVISIONS
1. Conservation Development Design Process
2. Identify the Primary conservation area –
unbuildable soils and slope

3. Identify the Secondary conservation area –

special features and natural beauty of the
site

4. Identify potential house locations with

regard to open space – Recognizes the
importance of sitting new homes carefully
and deliberately to maximize number
having interesting views of the conservation
land.

5. Defining logical routes for new streets

accessing the proposed lot.
6. Drawing lot lines midway between houses –
the final layout has provided each lot a
direct views of permanently protected
areas.