URA e-Service - Enquiry on Approved Use of Premises

Enquiry on Approved Use of Premises - FAQs

How can I find out the approved use of the premises?
What is the fee involved?
What information do I need to submit for a search on the approved use of the premises?
When can I expect a decision?
How do I check on the status of my submission?
When is planning permission required?
When is planning permission not required?
I would like to convert the unit to another use. Can my change of use proposal be allowed?
Where can I find out more about the change of use guidelines?
Who do I contact if I have further queries or need help on change of use matters?
How do I apply for change of use approval?

1) How can I find out the approved use of the premises?

You have to submit your application electronically via “Enquiry on Approved Building Use”. To submit an application, please click here.

2) What is the fee involved?

The fee for a search on the approved use of the premises is $53.50 (incl GST) per enquiry and on a single unit basis.

3) What information do I need to submit for a search on the approved use of the premises?

You only need to provide us with the address of the subject unit.

4) When can I expect a decision?

If information on the approved use of the premises is available in our online database, you can expect an instantaneous reply. If not, a more detailed search has to be made through our records and the reply will be given to you in 7 working days.

5) How do I check on the status of my submission?

To check on the status of your submission on enquiry on approved use of premises, please click here and provide the Transaction Reference Number for your submission.

Whether planning permission is required to change the approved use to another use

6) When is planning permission required?

Unless specifically exempted, planning permission for a change of use is required when
a. the change in the use is from one use class to another use class or
b. the change of use involves uses which do not fall into any use class

7) When is planning permission not required?

a) Uses are in the same use class
Change of uses where the approved use and the new use fall under the same use class. For example, change of use of an approved shop to a medical clinic and change of use of an approved childcare centre to a student care centre do not require planning permission.

b) Proposed change of uses to SHOP
Change of the following uses in a commercial building or shophouse to shop use is authorised under the Planning (Development of Land Authorisation) Notification, provided the premises was previously approved for commercial use and computed as commercial GFA. These uses are:

Table A

Restaurant	Bar/Pub	Betting Outlet
Health Centre	Sports & recreation use	Office/ Commercial School
Amusement Centre	Pet Shop	Child Care Centre
Nightclub	Laundry/ Dry Cleaning Shop	Showroom
Community Building uses	Motor Vehicle Showroom
The applicant is required to obtain prior clearances from other relevant licensing and approving authorities such as Fire Safety & Shelter Department and Land Transport Authority, etc. before commencing the change of use. The authorisations apply to change of use of individual units and do not involve en-bloc conversions.

c) Change of uses as shown in the following types of developments
Proposed change of uses in commercial and industrial buildings and HDB premises as shown in Table B below will be authorised without the need to submit an application. But you are required to seek prior written consent from HDB for proposed change of use within commercial premises leased or sold by HDB and comply with requirements of relevant technical agencies (e.g. NEA, FSSD, LTA) before commencing the use.

Table B

Sno	Development Type	No planning permission
i	Standalone commercial building; Commercial podium block; & Commercial block physically separated from residential uses on sites zoned Commercial, Commercial/Residential, Hotel or White *excludes party-walled shophouses1 and shopflat Please refer to diagrams	Change of use between the following uses: a)Shop b)Restaurant c)Showroom
ii	Commercial premises sold or leased by HDB	Change of use between the following uses: a)Shop b)Showroom c)Motor vehicle showroom d)Community uses (e.g. association, family service centre)
iii	Factory and warehouse buildings zoned Business 1 or Business 2	Change of use from: General industrial to Light industrial use

The authorisations apply to change of use of individual units and do not involve en-bloc conversions. For the authorisation under Table B items (i) and (ii), the premises must be originally approved for commercial use and computed as commercial GFA.

8) I would like to convert the unit to another use. Can my change of use proposal be allowed?

To find out whether a change of use proposal can be allowed, please submit a change of use application for our evaluation.

Change of use applications are evaluated based on Master Plan 2008 zoning of the building and the prevailing guidelines. Click here to view the Master Plan 2008.
To find out the permissible change of uses within a building, you can refer to the Building Use Table click here. The definitions and examples of the various uses in the Building Use Table are listed for reference. The Building Use Table is a simplified matrix to guide you on the permissible change of uses under the different Master Plan (MP) zonings.

9) Where can I find out more about the change of use guidelines?

Please click here for more information on change of use guidelines.

10) Who do I contact if I have further queries or need help on change of use matters?

If you need any clarification, feel free to call our Customer Service officer at 62234811, or email us anytime at ura_dcd@ura.gov.sg.

11) How do I apply for change of use approval?

You can submit a change of use application and apply for licences and approvals required for your business via the Online Business Licensing Service (OBLS) which is a one-stop platform allowing you to apply for multiple licences.

The relevant information on registering your businesses as well as other registration requirements can be found in the website at http://www.business.gov.sg/licences. Please click on “Licence Application Guide” and follow the step-by-step guide to complete your online application.