Renovating Your Property

1. Do I need to apply for approval from URA?

You do not need to apply for approval from URA if your renovation works are included in the exemption list. All other renovation works outside the exemption list will require approval from URA.

Alternatively, you may engage a QP(Qualified Person) to lodge the plans using the Plan Lodgment Scheme if the necessary criteria are met. Under this scheme, approval from URA is not required. Once the plans are lodged, the proposal is deemed approved.

2. What types of renovation can be approved?

Minor renovation works are generally allowed as long as they comply with the prevailing development control parameters.

3. Do I need to engage a qualified professional to apply for approval?

To obtain an approval from URA, you have the option to make the application yourself or to engage a qualified professional to do it for you.

But if your renovation works require BCA's approval, it may be better that you engage a qualified professional (registered architect or engineer) to submit the application on your behalf and to follow through the entire process as they are able to apply the technical regulations better.

4. What is the application fee?

The current application fee is $1,500 (subject to GST) payable by cheque to "Urban Redevelopment Authority".

5. How do I apply for approval?

Complete the electronic form (EDAForm) accompanied by 1 set of proposal plans (scale 1:1000) and sketch plans (scale 1:100).

If your property is a detached house, you also need to submit a site coverage plan (scale 1:100).

You should engage a QP(Qualified Person) to submit the application electronically through the Internet by using our Electronic Development Application system EDA.

6. What happens after I submit my application?

We will evaluate every accepted application based on the prevailing development control parameters.

A Written Permission (WP) with a 2-year validity period is issued if the application complies with all the parameters. Renovation works must complete within the validity period. Otherwise you have to renew your WP and a fee of $500 (subject to GST) is payable to URA.

A Provisional Permission (PP) with a 6-month validity period is issued when there are certain conditions which you must follow up on. You need to make a resubmission to obtain WP within the 6 months. Otherwise you have to apply to extend the PP with a fee of $200 (subject to GST) payable to URA.

If the application cannot be allowed, we will issue a Refusal of Written Permission (RWP) with reasons given. If you wish to appeal for a review, you can do so by submitting an Appeal form to the Minister of National Development within 60 days from the date of the RWP.

7. Do I have to pay development charge?

Additions & alterations to an existing land-titled residential property is likely to be exempted from payment of development charge. However, additions & alterations or reconstruction applications to one-house-one-lot involving an increase of GFA by more than 20 sqm will be subject to DC payment if the works are submitted within 3 years after the TOP is issued. This is applicable to additions & alterations to a newly subdivided lot (i.e. subdivision approval from 7 May 2007). Please refer to our Circular dated 7 May 2007 for the detailed information.

8. When can I expect a decision?

You can expect a decision within 4 weeks for your electronic submission.

9. What other approvals do I need to obtain?

Besides obtaining approval from URA, you should also find out more about the other regulations from these following agencies:

11. List of Minor Extensions or Renovation Works That Do Not Require Planning Permission from URA

The following is a list of common minor extensions or renovation works that do not require the approval or permission of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). It is categorised into internal and external works for quick and easy reference. The list is not exhaustive and if there is any doubt, you are advised to call our DCD Technical Enquiry Hotline 62234811.

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, street-block 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.

Inside your house

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

•  Internal partitioning, re-partitioning or re-arrangement or alteration of internal walls without any increase in floor area or changes to the exterior of the house.

•  Replacement of existing floor and wall finishes.

•  Replacement of sanitary fittings.

•  Replacement, relocation of light fittings.

At the roof

1 Re-construction of the roof in its existing form with no increase in height or change in design.

Within your garden

1 Changing the shape and size of swimming pool which does not result in an increase in floor area or reduction in setbacks.

2 Construction of a stand-alone single-storey structure for domestic uses e.g. for dog kennel, aviary, tool shed, utility store, etc provided:

•  The size of the structure does not exceed 5.0m 2

•  The structure has a minimum setback of :

2.40m / 5.10m* from the front boundary

2.0m / 3.0m* from the rear and side boundary.

(*for Good Class Bungalow Areas)

3 Construction of a single-storey structure for domestic use, e.g. for dog kennel, aviary, tool shed, utility store, etc, against a boundary wall provided:

•  The size of the structure does not exceed 5.0m 2

•  Dimensions do not exceed 1.20m in height and 1.0m in width

•  There is a solid wall for the portion of the structure that is adjoining the site boundary.

4 Barbeque pit for domestic use provided a minimum setback of 2.0m is provided from the site boundaries.

5 Mobile / portable playground equipment e.g. swing, see-saw, play-pen within the curtilage of a dwelling house for the recreational enjoyment of its immediate occupants only.

6 Ornamental ponds or fish-ponds provided they are predominantly not raised above ground. Structures if any, should not be more than 1m.

7 Landscaping or decorative features like cascading ponds, fountains provided appropriate measures are taken to prevent the splashing of water into the neighbouring properties.

On your building walls

1 Replacement of windows and doors without changes in height or size.

2 Installation of any roller shutter or grille door provided such installation is carried out for approved or existing door only.

3 Installation of grilles to approved balconies, provided that the balconies had been approved as "covered" balconies, and the balconies comply with the requisite building setback.

4 Enclosing of approved balconies by glass/window provided that the balconies had been approved as "covered" balconies, and the balconies comply with the requisite building setback.

5 Addition of sun-shading devices to existing buildings; provided that:

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 or 1.6m for a landed house within Good Class Bungalow Area,

iv. they are kept clear of green buffer,

v. they are not to be installed over approved "uncovered" balconies, and such addition will not lead to spillage of rainwater to the neighbouring sites.

6 Any air-conditioning works provided it complies with the green buffer, and set back at least 2.0m from the common site boundary.

7 Addition of a flower box provided the dimensions do not exceed 500mm in height , width and depth and is setback at least 2.0m from the side and rear boundaries.

Along your property boundaries

1 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, pillars and similar structures of a minor nature;

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.

2 Meter compartment not exceeding 0.9m wide x 0.6 m deep forming part of the perimeter wall.