Have you always wanted to be your own boss and start up a small business at home? Are you allowed to do that? Do you need to seek planning permission from URA?
This simple guide will help answer your questions.
| Q) |
I would not be using my residence to conduct my business but wish to use it as business address, what approvals do I need? |
| A) |
URA’s approval is not needed. You just need to do a business or company registration with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority Singapore (ACRA). |
| Q) |
Must I obtain URA’s approval if I wish to operate a business from home? |
| A) |
If you do not intend to have employees or working partners who are not your home residents working in your home, you do not need URA's approval. |
| Q) |
What is meant by small scale business and does it include any type of business? |
| A) |
All types of businesses so long as the business is done on a small scale. The level of business activity is to be kept low such that the home remains mainly as a place of residence. For example, conducting private tuition should not involve more than 3 students at any one time or baking cakes for sale to friends without turning the home into a bakery. Click here for more examples of permitted small business. |
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A home business should thus observe the following conditions: |
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a) |
No display of business signboard or advertisement posters outside the premises. |
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b) |
The business activity should not generate traffic congestion. |
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c) |
The business activity should not cause noise, smoke, smell, effluent or dust nuisances or endanger neighbours in the vicinity. |
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d) |
No loading and unloading of goods from vans and trucks. |
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e) |
Compliance with the rules and regulations of other authorities e.g. NEA, FSSB where applicable. (Please note that NEA does not allow the resident to conduct public sales or advertise sales of the home-baked confectionery through any form of mass media, including the Internet.) |
| Q) |
If I need to engage a few workers to help out in my home business, do I need to obtain URA’s approval? |
| A) |
Yes, if you intend to have employees or working partners who are not your home residents working in your home. You would need to register your intent with URA for a Home Office use. A maximum of two non-residents or employees is permitted. |
The following uses or activities that might disturb the neighbours are not allowed under the URA Home Office Scheme:
| X |
Shop use and any form of retail activity including pet shop |
| X |
Medical/ Dental /Veterinary clinic, Pharmacy |
| X |
Beauty/Hair-Dressing/Massage therapy services |
| X |
Food catering/Restaurants |
| X |
Commercial School e.g. music, dance, language school or tuition centre, conducting of dress making/embroidery lessons |
| X |
Maid Agency |
| X |
Card reading/Palm reading or fortune telling in any form |
| X |
Sales/marketing office involving conducting seminars/talks for large number of customers |
| X |
Employment Agency * |
| X |
Courier Business * |
| X |
Contractors Business * |
| X |
Manufacture/Preparation/Processing of products and goods |
| X |
Repair of household appliances, electrical products, footwear, etc. |
| X |
Funeral chapels, homes or mausoleums |
(* Use for administrative office only without workers, visitors or delivery activities may be allowed)
Home Office users should also observe the same conditions applicable to small scale home business.
| Q) |
How do I go about getting my Home Office use registered with URA? |
| A) |
We have made it convenient and fuss-free for you. All you have to do is to log on to the Online Business Licencing Service (OBLS) which is a one-stop integrated service to help you obtain multiple licences from various government agencies. |
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Follow these steps: |
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- Log on to http://www.business.gov.sg/licences
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- Click “Apply new licences”
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- Click “Government Agencies”, and click “URA” (If your HO is in a HDB flat, click on “HDB )
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- Click ‘Home Office Scheme (URA)’ and follow the step-by-step licence application guide to complete your online application
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- A non-refundable registration fee of $20 is required. Payment is made electronically through eNETS or credit card
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| Q) |
How do I know if my registration is successful? |
| A) |
Once you have successfully registered with OBLS, your Home Office use is deemed approved instantly. You will receive a letter that authorizes your home office. You may then proceed to start operating your business from the comfort of your home. |
| Q) |
Do I need to re-register my Home Office use? |
| A) |
To make it convenient for you, all approvals are valid for five years. At the end of the validity period, if you wish to continue using your resident as Home Office, you just need to re-register the Home Office use at OBSL ( http://www.business.gov.sg/licences) |
Click here to download a copy of the flyer.
We wish you every success in your business!
Should you need clarification or advice, you are welcomed to contact us at:
45 Maxwell Road
The URA centre
Singapore 069118
Hotline : 6223-4811
Email : ura_dcd@ura.gov.sg
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Setting Up A Small Business At Home 