1. URA grants GFA exemption for planter boxes in developments to encourage vertical greenery in our developments. The following planter boxes currently qualify for GFA exemption: 
   1. Communal planter boxes not exceeding 1 metre width in residential developments; and
   2. All planter boxes not exceeding 1 metre width in non-residential developments. 

GFA Exemption for Larger Communal Planter Boxes with Design Merits

2. URA has received several development proposals involving communal planter boxes with widths wider than 1 metre. In some of these proposals, greenery is a key feature of the development -- large planter boxes are designed as part of sky terraces and roof gardens in an integrated landscape scheme. These provide quality and yet functional green spaces for building occupants or the public to enjoy.
3. To encourage even more pervasive urban greenery, URA will now consider communal planter boxes which are more than 1 metre wide for GFA exemption if the wider planter boxes are part of an overall scheme designed to enhance greenery provision for the development. Applicants applying for the GFA exemption will have to justify the merits of their design and demonstrate how they will maintain the landscaping.
4. For other developments that do not satisfy the above criteria, URA will continue to grant GFA exemption for planter boxes not exceeding 1 metre in width.

Aligning the GFA Treatment for Private Planter Boxes within Residential and Non-Residential Developments

5. Currently, communal and private planter boxes within non-residential developments are exempted from GFA. In residential developments, only communal planter boxes are exempted from GFA.
6. To align the GFA treatment for planter boxes in both residential and non-residential developments, only communal planter boxes will enjoy GFA exemption. This is because private planter boxes in both residential and non-residential developments have a higher tendency of being converted to non-planting areas compared to communal planters.
7. For developments that are held under single ownership, such as hotels or non-strata titled developments, URA will continue to grant GFA exemption for their planter boxes. 

Implementation

8. The revised guidelines will apply to all new applications submitted on or after the effective date of 12 June 2014¹. Only formal development applications (excluding Outline Applications) submitted before the effective date of 12 June 2014 which have already been granted Provisional Permission or which will result in a Provisional Permission, will not be subject to the revised guidelines¹.
9. I would appreciate it if you could convey the contents of this circular to the relevant members of your organisation. If you or your members have any queries concerning this circular, please call our Development Control Group (DCG) Enquiry Line at Tel: 6223 4811 or email us at ura_dcd@ura.gov.sg. For your information, past circulars and guidelines are available at our website http://www.ura.gov.sg.

Join URA's mailing list to get the latest updates on current and future plans and developments around Singapore. Click here to subscribe (http://www.ura.gov.sg/uol/Newsletters/Subscribe.aspx)

[1]         Development applications submitted before the effective date of 12 June 2014 resulting in an Advice or Refusal of Written Permission (RWP) will be evaluated based on the revised guidelines upon resubmission after the Advice or RWP.