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Home | Works Not Requiring BCA Approval | List Of Minor Development And Building Works That Do Not Require Approval
From BCA Or URA

List Of Minor Development And Building Works

That Do Not Require Approval From BCA Or URA

INFO FOR
Info On
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Home Dwellers/Building
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Industry Professionals
Building Control &
Management

The following is the list on the minor development or building works that do not require the approval
or permission of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) or the Building and Construction
Authority (BCA).
Developments concerning only the use of land and/or buildings are not included in this list.
Owners should check for the need to obtain clearance from other authorities or to comply with
caveat and by-law which may apply to their premises. They include rules and regulations of the
Management Corporation.
The list of items does not apply to any buildings which are gazetted national monument or
conservation buildings, or located within conservation area, envelop control area, central area or
urban design area, streetblock plan or other planning study areas where specific guidelines are to be
adhered to. For information about these buildings and areas, please refer to URA website at
http://www.ura.gov.sg/, or email URA.
For the 3rd and 4th columns on whether approval is required, "Y" denotes "Yes" and "N" denotes
"No". The 5th column explains the rationale for requiring approval from either URA or BCA, while the
last column contains additional advice.

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Development
Outdoor Advertisers

Street & Access Road

Works Or Structures For Temporary

Use

Perimeter Fence, Boundary Wall, etc.

Exterior Of A Building

Site Layout
Interior Of A Building

Street & Access Road

URA's
BCA's
Why is
Approval Approval Approval
Required? Required? Required?

SN

Description

Maintenance and/or
improvement work carried
out to a street by a
statutory authority.

---

---

Maintenance and/or
improvement work carried
out to a private street or
private access road to a
building.

---

---

---

For laying of new sewers or

pipes, BCA's approval is
not required if the sewer or
pipe size does not exceed
1000mm in diameter.

Inspecting, repairing or
renewing any private
sewers, mains, pipes,
cables or other apparatus
not maintainable by a
public authority or
statutory undertaker.

Remarks

Laying, inspecting,
repairing or renewing any
sewers, mains, pipes,
cables or other apparatus
including the breaking
open of any street or other
land for that purpose, by a
statutory authority.

---

For laying of new sewers or

pipes, BCA's approval is
not required if the sewer or
pipe size does not exceed
1000mm in diameter.

Building works carried out

for or in connection with
any canal or drain not
exceeding 1,500mm in
depth.

---

---

Building works carried out

for or in connection with

any box culvert with a
span not exceeding
5,000mm and a depth not
exceeding 1,500mm.

---

---

Works Or Structures For Temporary Use

SN

Description

The carrying out of any

act authorised or required
by the Control of Vectors
& Pesticides Act (Cap 79).

Erection of builders'
working sheds,
contractors' hut,
hoardings, scaffolding,
etc., on land being
developed or to be
developed according to a
written permission,
subject to removal of the
structures upon
completion of the
development.

URA's
BCA's
Why is
Approval Approval Approval
Required? Required? Required?
N

---

Remarks

--For hoarding on public

walkway or street, a
Temporary Building Permit
from BCA is required.

---

---

Erection of a show-flat /
show-house for an
approved residential
development, either on
the development site or
otherwise, provided that:
i. owner's consent is
obtained;
ii. the erection and
use of the show-flat
or show-house do
not give rise to
public nuisance.
iii. the show-flat/showhouse is
demolished upon
completion of the
project if the showflat / show-house
does not form part
of the approved
development.

10 Erection of temporary
sheds, platforms,
scaffoldings, and other
structure of a similar
nature for the following
permitted uses:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.

trade fair,
trade exposition,
funfair,
carnival,
athletics or sports
meet,
festive bazaar,
festive sale, festive
entertainment,
religious
entertainment,
religious ceremony,
opening ceremony,
funeral wake,
wedding reception,
and
wayang;

except for the use of land

for any open cinema, for

---

A Temporary Building
Permit from BCA is required
under the following
circumstances:

---

a. A shed or a stage for

or in connection with
the holding of any
wedding
entertainment,
funeral or religious
ceremony,
exceeding 7 days.
b. A stall or shed
situated in any open
space and required
for or in connection
with trade fair, fun
fair or other
exhibition, exceeding
35 days.

not more than a total of 90

days within a calendar
year; provided that:
i. i. the temporary
structures are
removed when the
permitted use
ceases, and
ii. Police permit or
licence, where
applicable, is
obtained for the
activities.
11 Building works carried out
for or in connection with
any stall or shed of
lightweight material within
any premises used for the
purpose of holding a trade
fair, fun fair or any
exhibition.

N
(Please
see item
10.)

---

---

Perimeter Fence, Boundary Wall, etc.

SN

Description

URA's
BCA's
Why is
Approval Approval Approval
Required? Required? Required?

Remarks

12 Construction of:
i. gates, walls,
fences, paling or
other similar means
of enclosure with
height not
exceeding 1.8m,
and built with
bricks, stone,
granite or other
similar building
material or any
combination of the
same set in mortar
or any other
binding material;
ii. posts, pillar and
similar structures of
a minor nature;

---

---

---

---

URA
needs to
evaluate
impact of
retaining
wall on the
amenity of
the
adjacent
properties.

---

N
(Please
see Item
12.)

---

---

provided that such

construction does not
create an obstruction to
the view of person using
any road open to
vehicular traffic, or at or
near any bend, corner,
junction or intersection.
13 Meter compartment not
exceeding 0.9m wide x
0.6m deep forming part of
the perimeter wall.
14 Building works carried out
for or in connection with
any retaining wall, or earth
retaining structure, with a
visible height not
exceeding 1,000mm.

15 Building works carried out

for or in connection with
any boundary wall,
boundary fence or gate.

Site Layout

SN

Description

URA's
BCA's
Why is
Approval Approval Approval
Required? Required? Required?

Remarks

16 Erection of flagstaff.

---

---

17 Increase in setback
distance of buildings from
lot boundary.

---

---

18 Reduction in the size of

the approved buildings
and ancillary structures,
e.g. bin centres,
guardhouses, electric
substations, underground
fuel tanks, etc; which are
under construction.

---

---

---

BCA's approval is not

required if the change does
not materially affect the key
structural elements or
structural system.

19 Reduction in the overall

size of approved buildings
which are under
construction.
20 Changing the shape of
swimming pool which
does not result in an
increase in floor area or
reduction in setbacks.

21 Revision to the layout of

surface car parks and realignment of driveway for
residential and warehouse
developments, without
any change to the width
and location of the
approved access point.
22 Re-positioning of
approved industrial and
warehouse buildings
which are under
construction, without any
increase in gross floor
area or affecting the
buffer/building setback
requirements, provided
that the site immediately
abuts an existing
industrial or warehouse
development.

---

BCA's approval is not

required if the change does
not materially affect the key
structural elements or
structural system, or depth
of the pool is not more than
1m.

---

---

BCA's approval is not

required if the change does
not materially affect the key
structural elements or
structural system.
N

---

URA
needs to
evaluate
impact of
such
structure
on the
amenity of
the
adjacent
properties.

---

URA
needs to
evaluate
impact of
such
structure
on the
amenity of
the
adjacent
properties.

---

23 Building works carried out

for or in connection with
any single storey trellis,
pergola, shelter, gazebo
and the like.
Y

24 Erection of any single

detached booth, kiosk,
guard house, bin centre,
and the like, not
exceeding an area of 10
sq m.

25 Building works carried out

for or in connection with
any pipe rack or support
not exceeding 2,000mm in

URA
needs to
evaluate
impact of

height.

26 Building works carried out

for or in connection with
any height restriction
gantry.
27 Building works carried out
for or in connection with
any plinth, platform or
other base with a visible
height not exceeding
1,000mm from the ground
level and erected for the
purpose of supporting any
mechanical plant, tank,
equipment, machinery or
other components (other
than a building).
28 Erection of any single
storey shed or hut not
exceeding an area of 10
sq m for housing fuel
tanks, mechanical or
electrical equipment.

such
structure
on the
amenity of
the
adjacent
properties.

---

---

URA's approval is not

required if it is installed at
the entrance/exit of an
approved car park only.
URA's approval is not
required if:

---

URA
needs to
evaluate
the impact
of the
structure
on the
amenity of
the
adjacent
properties.

a. it is within
industrial /warehouse
development only,
and
b. it complies with the
green buffer and
requisite setback
requirement.

---

Exterior Of A Building

SN

Description

URA's
BCA's
Why is
Approval Approval Approval
Required? Required? Required?

Remarks

29 Painting of the exterior of

any building.

---

---

30 Change to the height or

material used for the
barrier defining the private
enclosed space (PES) of
a strata-titled property,
provided that there is no
roof covering for the PES.

---

---

31 Replacement or changing
of windows and doors.

32 Installation of any roller

shutter or grille door.

33

URA's approval is not

required if:

---

---

---

a. there is no increase
in GFA, there is no
reduction in setback,
and
b. it does not involve
changing of window
from high level to low
level.
URA's approval is not
required if such installation
is carried out for approved
or existing door only.

Installation of grilles to
approved balconies in all
residential developments,
provided that:
i. the balconies had
been approved as
"covered"
balconies, and
ii. the balconies
comply with the
requisite building

---

setback.
34

Enclosing of approved
balconies by
glass/window in landed
housing developments
only, including stratalanded housing
developments, provided
that:
N

---

---

URA
needs to
evaluate
the impact
from the
planning
viewpoint.

---

N
(Please
refer to
conditions
in items 37
& 38)

---

---

N
(Please
see item
36.)

---

---

i. the balconies had

been approved as
"covered"
balconies, and
ii. the balconies
comply with the
requisite building
setback.
35 Building works carried out
for or in connection with
the enclosing of a
balcony, yard or terrace
with windows and glass
panels in residential
buildings.
36 Addition of sunshading
devices to existing
buildings; provided that:
i. i. their projections
do not exceed
2.0m measured
from the building
wall line,
ii. there are no
vertical support and
not accessible
except for
maintenance
purpose only,
iii. they meet the
setback
requirement of at
least 1.0 m for a
landed house
outside GCBA,
1.6m for a landed
house within
GCBA, and 2.0m
for other
developments,
iv. they are kept clear
of green buffer,
v. they are not to be
installed over
approved
"uncovered"
balconies, and
vi. such addition will
not lead to spillage
of rainwater to the
neighbouring sites.
37 Building works carried out
for or in connection with
any awning, windowhood
or cantilevered roof
constructed of glazed or
clay tiles, and having a
projection not exceeding
1,400mm.
38 Building works carried out
for or in connection with
any awning, windowhood
or cantilevered roof
constructed of lightweight
material, and having a
horizontal projection not
exceeding 3,000mm.

N
(Please
see item
36.)

URA's approval is not

required for projection up to
2.0m only.
N

---

39 Re-construction of the
roof in its existing form
with no increase in height.
40 One to one replacement
of timber roof and roof
covering.
41 Addition of unenclosed
water tanks without any
roofing & not higher than
3.0 m (including support
structures) on the roof top
of an approved industrial /
warehouse development
not within special control
area.

Please refer to item 40.

N

---

N
(Please
see item
39.)

---

---

42 Installation of Television
Receive Only (TVRO)
Satellite Dish or Very
Small Aperture Terminal
(VSAT) with a diameter of
5m or less, provided that:
i. i. no height
restrictions are
imposed on the
surrounding
developments
(both existing and
future)
ii. clearances from
DSTA, CAAS, IDA
and SBA where
applicable, prior to
such installation,
and
iii. the site does not
fall within any
special height
control area e.g.
view corridor
protection.

44

Erection and display of

any sign, placard board,
notice or other device,
whether illuminated or not,
employed wholly as an
advertisement,
announcement or
direction, except for the
facade of national
monuments or any

BCA's approval is not

required if the proposed
increase in loading does
not exceed the roof's
original design load.

BCA's approval is not

required if the proposed
increase in loading does
not exceed the building's
original design load.

---

43 Installation of
transmission antenna not
exceeding 3m in height,
and/or uncovered
telecommunication
equipment, provided that:
i. i. no height
restrictions are
imposed on the
surrounding
developments
(both existing and
future)
ii. clearances from
DSTA, CAAS, IDA
and SBA where
applicable, prior to
such installation,
and
iii. the site does not
fall within any
special height
control area e.g.
view corridor
protection.

---

BCA's approval is not

required if the proposed
increase in loading does
not exceed the building's
original design load.

---

Please consult BCA's

Advertisement Licensing
Section on the need for
Advertisement License.
N

---

buildings within a
conservation area.
45 Maintenance or
improvement or
alterations of a building
which do not materially
affect the external
appearance or the floor
area of the building.

---

---

N
(Please
refer also
to item
46a)

---

---

---

URA's approval is required

as we need to evaluate the
impact on the lean-to shed
on the neighbouring
property.

46 Addition or enlargement,
alteration or improvement
of a detached dwelling
house, semi-detached
house or terrace house
which is not constructed
of temporary materials,
including the erection of
car porch, garage,
lavatory and other outbuilding subject to:
i. the floor area of the
addition or
enlargement not
exceeding a total of
20 sq. m;
ii. the addition or
enlargement,
alteration or
improvement not
a. be effected
on more
than one
occasion;
b. exceeding
the original
height of the
dwellinghouse;
c. extending
beyond the
front of the
dwellinghouse or
approved
building line
except for an
open car
porch only;
d. affecting
road
widening or
improvement
proposals;
and
e. obstructing
the view of
persons
using the
road.
46a Erection of any single
storey lean-to extension
with roof covering of
glazed or clay tiles, or of
any lightweight material,
in any bungalow, semidetached, terrace or
linked house.

Interior Of A Building

SN

Description

47

Installation of automated
teller machine (ATM)
which is recessed into the
external wall of a building,

URA's
BCA's
Why is
Approval Approval Approval
Required? Required? Required?

---

---

with no additional gross

floor area involved.
Interior Of A Building

SN

Description

48 Replacement or changing
of any false ceiling with
lightweight material.

URA's
BCA's
Why is
Approval Approval Approval
Required? Required? Required?
N

---

---

49 Any air-conditioning
works.

50 Internal partitioning, repartitioning or rearrangement of approved

uses within tenanted
areas; without any change
in primary use/quantum or
floor area; or affecting the
common areas.

---

URA's approval is not

required if the airconditioner condenser
complies with the green
buffer, and set back at least
2.0m from the common site
boundary.

---

---

URA's
approval is
not
required if
the wall is
confined
only within
the interior
of a
building,
and the
work does
not result
in the
creation of
additional
unit or
affect the
character
of the
existing
dwelling
unit.

---

---

---

51 Building works carried out

for or in connection with:
i. creation of any
opening in a nonload bearing wall
ii. demolition,
restoration or
reinstatement of
non-load bearing
wall, and
iii. sealing up of any
wall opening.

52 Replacement of existing
floor and wall finishes.
53 Erection or alteration of:
i. any partition or
partition wall in any
bungalow, semidetached, terrace
or linked house; or
ii. any partition or
partition wall
constructed of
lightweight material
in any other
building.
54 Construction of any raised
floor or the topping up of
balconies, and the like,
with lightweight materials.
55 Changes in floor-to-floor
height without any
increase in the overall
building height, the floor
area or the number of
storeys.

Remarks

URA's approval is not

required for internal
partition wall only.

---

---

URA's approval is not

required if the raise is not
more than 0.5m from the
approved or existing floor
level.

---

BCA's approval is not

required if the change does
not materially affect the key
structural elements or
structural system.

56 Installation of machinery
within factory premises.
N

57 Installation of automated
teller machine (ATM)
within an existing building,
with no additional gross
floor area involved.

---

BCA's approval is not

required if the proposed
increase in loading does
not exceed the building's
original design load.

---

BCA's approval is not

required if the proposed
increase in loading does
not exceed the building's
original design load.

Last updated on 25 May 07 Last Updated On 30 Oct 2008

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