Originally, Town Planning Organisation was part of the Directorate of Design & planning, which was created under Govt. order no 114-C, Dated 16-05-1963. At that time, the responsibility of Directorate included planning of various Engineering projects, Coordination & linkage of all branches of PWD, project preparation, Design & planning as main functions, which include collection of statistical & other data, field investigation & surveys of all schemes of roads, buildings, irrigation projects etc.

The Directorate was re-organized vide Govt. order no. PW-534-WIP, Dated, 26-09-1967 when Town Planning & Architectural Planning & other divisions were added to its function.

In 1971, The Directorate was again re-organized vide Govt. order no. DP-284-WIP of 1971, dated 12-04-1971. Subsequently, the town planning & Architectural Deptt. was bifurcated as separate functions to deal with physical planning and development of Towns and Cities. J&K State is experiencing urban growth and has more than 100 towns at present. The main function of the Town Planning Organization is urban planning and regulation of settlements. Town Planning Organization also extends advisory services, technical opinions to various development agencies, urban local bodies and Government Departments within its jurisdictional area. Town Planning Organization prepares Town Planning Schemes, Development Plans, Master Plans of Towns, tourist destination areas and rehabilitation schemes. It also conducts surveys, studies, prepares technical reports and documentation of projects. Chief Town Planner besides being the Head of Department is also Member/Director to various boards and Development Authorities i.e. Jammu Development Authority, J&K Housing Board, J&K Police Housing Corporation, Member of Control of Building Operations Act and Member Secretary to Urban Transport Environment Improvement Committee.