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Stilt Parking or Open Parking: Which Is Best for Your Society?


07, January 2026

Hey Everyone!

Imagine this: You’ve just moved into your dream apartment in a fancy new building. The interiors are perfect, the view is amazing - and then you stop and think:

“Where will I park my car?”

In today’s crowded cities, parking isn’t just a small detail. It’s a big deal. It leads to arguments in society meetings, confusion in builder agreements, and sometimes even legal fights.

Let’s look at the two most common parking options in Indian housing societies:

  • Stilt Parking
  • Open Parking

Which one is better? Why should you care? And how does your choice affect you, your neighbors, and the environment?

Let’s put our assumptions aside - and take a closer look.

What Is Stilt Parking, Really?

Stilt parking is a type of covered parking space located right under the first floor of a building. The building is raised on pillars (called stilts), which creates open space at the ground level for parking cars.

  • It’s covered
  • Built into the building’s design
  • Keeps your car safe from rain, sun, and theft

Think of it as a smart middle option - somewhere between open parking and basement parking. It’s especially common in modern apartment buildings in cities across India.

The apartment stilt parking plan saves space by giving safe parking under the building.

GR Sitara - Hosa Road Bangalore

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What Is Open Parking?

Open parking is the most basic type of parking. It’s an open space on the ground, usually near the entrance, road, or garden, where cars are parked without any cover.

  • Easy to set up
  • Affordable to build
  • Can be adjusted as needed

You’ll see this in older apartment buildings and also in newer homes with open land. But is simple always the best choice?

Also Read: Strong and Durable Parking Tiles

Which One’s Better? Let’s Break It Down

♦ Space Utilization: The Urban Dilemma

Land is very valuable - especially in big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, or Bengaluru. Because of rules about how much you can build (called FSI) and expensive land prices, designing buildings with stilt parking is becoming very important in India.

This modern stilt parking house design India offers both functionality and aesthetic appeal, making it ideal for urban living.

By lifting the living floors and parking cars underneath, you save space on the ground for gardens, driveways, or other shared facilities.

This stilt parking house front design gives a good parking area along with a nice and modern look from the outside.

On the other hand, open parking takes up a lot of valuable land and leaves less room for greenery or other uses.

Bottom line: Stilt parking is the best choice in crowded city areas.

♦ Cost Factor: Builder vs. Buyer

Open parking is definitely affordable to build. Builders like it because it doesn’t need extra structure, and they often give it to residents as “free parking.”

Stilt parking, on the other hand, needs careful design with columns, fire safety, and good drainage - especially during the rainy season. But for buyers, it offers more value and better protection for their vehicles over time.

Also, with more people wanting duplex homes with stilt parking, it’s becoming popular with modern builders.

This duplex house design with stilt parking gives more space for parking and still keeps the home looking good and practical.

Bottom line: Open parking costs less, but stilt parking gives you more value for your space.

♦ Safety & Security: Peace of Mind

Would you rather park your car under a roof with CCTV, lights, and secure entry - or leave it outside, open to sun, rain, and dust?

Stilt parking gives your vehicle shelter, better security, and peace of mind - especially if you have a luxury car. Many housing societies also improve stilt parking with good lighting, flooring, and clear views.

The stilt floor keeps the house safe from water by lifting the living area above the ground.

Open parking, on the other hand, leaves your car exposed to weather, theft, and mess.

Bottom line: Stilt parking is better for both your vehicle and you.

♦ Legal Clarity: What Do RERA and Courts Say?

This part gets a bit complicated. According to RERA rules, stilt parking spaces are considered common areas, so builders can’t sell them separately. The Supreme Court confirmed this in 2010.

Before building raised structures, it's important to know the local residential stilt parking rules to make sure everything is safe and legal.

Builders need to follow the rules for stilt parking under RERA to keep things legal and clear for property buyers.

Still, people argue about stilt parking plans, how parking spots are given out, and whether buyers get exclusive use. Different builders often have different rules for parking.

Open parking is also a common area but has fewer disputes because it doesn’t involve building structures.

The parking allotment policy makes sure parking spaces are shared fairly and in order for residents and visitors.

Bottom line: Both need clear rules, but stilt parking gets more legal attention.

♦ EV Future: Charging Ahead or Falling Behind?

As India shifts to electric vehicles, charging stations in stilt parking are becoming more common.

Since stilt parking is close to the building’s electrical system, it’s easier to install EV chargers for residents. Many new buildings now come with stilt parking designed for EV charging.

Open parking, however, can be tricky for wiring and safety, especially in older buildings.

Bottom line: EV charging in stilt parking is better and ready for the future.

Real-Life Use Cases: What Works Where?

Stilt Parking is Best For:

  • Stilt parking independent house in big cities
  • Duplex homes with stilt parking (common in South India)
  • Gated communities that focus on EV charging and security
  • Tall city buildings where multi-level parking isn’t possible

Open Parking is Best For:

  • Low-rise buildings with plenty of space
  • Budget apartments where keeping costs low matters
  • Older housing societies without stilt parking design

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Parking Spot

Your parking spot isn’t just where your vehicles stays - it’s where you start your day and end it. It should be safe, easy to use, and ready for the future.

  • Pick stilt parking if you care about security, electric vehicle charging, and modern design.
  • Pick open parking if you want to save money and have plenty of space.

Whatever you choose, make sure your housing society follows the latest rules, plans parking carefully, and sees it as an important part of the whole community - not just something extra.

Over to You

Do you live in a society with stilt parking or open parking? Have you had problems with parking spots, EV charging, or confusing parking rules?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

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