Months after fire killed 21, Delhi to rework rules for bed-and-breakfasts

To be sure, a draft Bed and Breakfast (B&B) Policy, 2026, was released in May.

It had proposed a number of changes, including two new categories — Gold and Silver — based on room standards, sanitation, safety arrangements and service quality. However, the government has not said whether the draft will be adopted in its current form.

What the draft policy had proposed

Maximum size: B&B establishments can have a maximum of 16 beds across eight rooms.

Who can register: Only residential and lawfully constructed properties will be eligible.

Who is excluded: Hotels, lodges, guest houses, serviced apartments, self-catering units and properties with banquet, resort or commercial hospitality facilities will not be covered.

No commercial-style operations: Commercial restaurants or kitchens, bars serving outsiders and hotel-style signage will not be permitted.

Mandatory registration: All B&B establishments operating in Delhi will have to register with the Tourism Department through a designated online portal.

‘Gold’ and ‘Silver’ categories

The draft had introduced two categories based on the quality and facilities offered by a B&B.

-For ‘Gold’ category establishments, guest rooms must have a minimum area of 120 square feet and include facilities such as wardrobes, study tables, televisions, filtered drinking water, proper ventilation and cooling arrangements including fans or air-conditioners wherever necessary.

-‘Silver’ category establishments are allowed to have smaller rooms, with a minimum room size of 100 square feet, and need to have clean bedding, cooling facilities, filtered water and dedicated or attached bathrooms.

When will the new law kick in?

According to the Delhi Bed and Breakfast Establishments (Repeal) Bill, 2026, the repeal will come into force on a date to be notified by the government in the Official Gazette

To avoid creating panic among registered and running B&Bs in the city, the Bill provides that existing registrations, certificates, orders, approvals and proceedings under the repealed Acts will continue to remain valid, as long as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of the new Act.

It also states that the repeal will not affect the previous operation of the laws or anything already done under them.

According to the document, Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra cited the need for a “flexible” policy to repeal the old law.

The Bill stated that a comprehensive policy will be placed before the Council of Ministers for approval. “… During the transition period, fresh registrations and processing of pending applications under the existing Act shall remain in abeyance,” it read.