News · 12 October 2026 · 4 min read

Buying in Dehradun from outside Uttarakhand in 2026: what the land law allows

Under Uttarakhand's 2025 land law, people from outside the state cannot buy farmland in Dehradun district. Residential land is capped at 250 sq m per family, with an affidavit.

What happened

The Uttarakhand Assembly passed the Uttarakhand (Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950) Amendment Bill, 2025 in February 2025. ETV Bharat reported on 1 May 2025 that the Governor had given his assent, so the amendment is now law. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced it on social media the same day.

As reported by Scroll and ThePrint at the time, the main provisions are:

No farm or horticultural land for buyers from outside the state in 11 of the 13 districts. Dehradun is one of the 11. The other two, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, are excluded, but Scroll reported that sales there now need approval from the state government instead of the district.
Residential land is capped. Non-residents can still buy residential land below 250 sq m. ThePrint, quoting a senior official, described this as 250 sq m per family, with family defined under the Act.
An affidavit is required. Scroll reported that the buyer must declare that neither they nor their family has bought such residential land anywhere else in the state.
District Magistrates no longer approve purchases. That power has moved to the state government.
The 12.5-acre provision is gone. Scroll reported that the old provision allowing transfers above 12.5 acres for tourism, industry, agriculture and similar uses has been removed.
Land used for the wrong purpose can be taken back. ThePrint quoted an official saying that inside municipal limits land use will be strictly limited to its stated purpose, and land used against the rules will be vested in the government. The same report said a portal would track land bought by people from outside the state.

ThePrint also reported that the 2018 relaxations made under former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat were scrapped.

We searched for amendments to this law in 2026 and did not find any. That is not proof that nothing has changed, which is why the advice below starts with an advocate.

What it means for buyers and tenants in Dehradun

This section is our view, not legal advice.

If you are from outside Uttarakhand and want a house plot, the 250 sq m per family limit is the number that matters. That is a modest house plot, not a farmhouse. Do not let anyone talk you into buying farmland "for now" and converting it later. In Dehradun district that route is closed to non-residents, and land used against the rules can be vested in the government.

Flats and built houses: get advice on your specific case. The reporting we read talks about land. How the rules apply to a particular flat or house, especially inside municipal limits, depends on the facts, so ask an advocate before you pay a token. Our older piece, questions to ask before buying land in Uttarakhand, gives the same advice for the same reason.

Expect more paperwork. There is the affidavit, approval now sits with the state rather than the district, and there is a monitoring portal. Leave time for all of it. Bring the seller's papers in order, too: our papers to check before buying a plot in Dehradun lists them.

Renting is not affected. None of these rules stop anyone from renting a home or a shop in Dehradun. Many people moving here rent for a year first and buy once they know the city. You can start with our homes for rent in Dehradun.

Questions people ask

Can someone from outside Uttarakhand buy land in Dehradun?

Farm and horticultural land, no. Dehradun is one of the 11 districts where the 2025 amendment bars it. Residential land below 250 sq m per family is allowed, with an affidavit.

Which districts are exempt from the farmland ban?

Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar. Scroll reported that even there, sales now need approval from the state government rather than the district.

Is the new land law in force?

Yes. ETV Bharat reported that the Governor gave assent on 1 May 2025. Confirm the current rules with a local advocate before you buy.

Sources

Moving to Dehradun from another state and not sure what you can buy? Call Neeraj Thapa on +91 98320 03494.