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Use of Buildings in Conservation Areas

Learn more about the types of uses that are allowed at your property.

Historic Conservation Areas

If your building is located within the Historic Conservation Areas – Chinatown (Kreta Ayer, Telok Ayer, Bukit Pasoh, Tanjong Pagar), Little India, Kampong Glam, Boay Quay, Blair Plain, Emerald Hill and Cairnhill, you will need to apply for conservation permission before starting business operations.

Check if your building is located within the Historic Conservation Areas. You can also check on the allowable and approved uses for shophouses. 

For conserved buildings, if the change of use involves Additions & Alterations (A&A) works, please submit a formal A&A submission. You can incorporate your change of use proposal as part of the formal submission.

Submission Requirements for

 
  • Business concept including details of full services offered, operating hours; and
  • Layout plan showing an open concept for the premises

 
  • Business concept including details of full services offered, operating hours; and
  • Layout plan showing an open concept for the premises

 
  • Business concept including details of services offered, operating hours and declare that “there shall be no massage involved in the running of the premises except by licensed TCM practitioner(s)”;
  • Number and certificates of TCM practitioners registered with Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board (TCMPB) who are employed by the clinic to practice at subject unit;
  • Signed Letter of Undertaking stating that the TCM services offered in the clinic will be strictly administered personally by the registered TCM practitioners employed by the company; and
  • Detailed proposed layout plan.

 
  • Business concept, type of food to be sold as take-away items and operation hours; and
  • Layout plan with endorsement that there is no dining-in.

 
  • Business concept including complete food and beverage menu, and operating hours;
  • Detailed layout plan. Please verge the proposed area for the restaurant use and demarcate clearly the kitchen and dining area. All furniture like the tables and chairs are to be shown; and
  • Letter of Undertaking
  • The use of piped gas is encouraged. Where the use of cylinder gas is required, the gas tanks are to be located within the property boundary. If Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders are not used, please declare it on the layout plan. If LPG cylinders are used, please also submit the following:
  1. A plan showing the LPG cylinder cabinet is located within the building's compound (recessed into the rear boundary wall) and its door is to be annotated as anodised or colour coated
  2. The Notice of Approval from the Singapore Civil Defence Force to show that the Qualified Person has complied with fire safety requirements.
  3. If LPG cylinders will not be used, please declare it on the layout plan.
  • If a flue is proposed, please ensure compliance with the guidelines on page 33 of Conservation guidelines (PDF), and submit a plan and elevation of the proposed flue. The kitchen flue shall be annotated as "new kitchen flue to be painted the same colour as the background wall'. If a kitchen flue is not required, please declaire it on the layout plan. 
 
  • Business concept;
  • Layout plan showing all partitions, furniture like beds and toilets. Partitions shall not abut the windows.The number of rooms, beds and toilets to be indicated;
  • Clearance letter from Land Transport Authority (LTA) to show that LTA has no objection to the change of use; and
  • Notice of Approval and Record of Consultation or Waiver Application to show that Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has no objection to the change of use. If the building has timber floors, the applicant is to highlight this to SCDF for their approval.
 
  • Layout plan showing a self-sustaining residential layout which comprises a living room, bedrooms, kitchen and toilets. All partitions shall not abut the windows.
  • Signed letter of undertaking stating that the premises will not be used as a workers’ quarters, hotel, boarding house, backpackers’ hostel and other related uses and confirm that the following has been complied with:
    1. The maximum number of people who can stay on the premises is 6.
    2. The same people staying on the premises must stay for a minimum of 3 months.
    3. The premises must have a self-sustaining residential layout which comprises a living room, bedrooms, kitchen and toilets.
    4. Each occupant have at least 10sqm of living space.

Uses not Allowed in Historic Districts

Certain types of uses are not allowed in Historic Conservation Areas as they may create dis-amenity to the surroundings. These uses include:

  • New bars, pubs, nightclubs and karaoke lounges 
  • New massage establishments and spas
  • Amusement centres
  • Motor vehicle showrooms
  • Warehouse stores.They may only be considered if such a use is ancillary to the main use
  • Places of worship, unless previously authorised. They should be located on land zoned for places of worship
  • Pollutive trades such as engineering, spray-painting, welding, plumbing, motor, metal and joinery workshops, tyre and battery shops, and plastic products manufacturing

Refer to the Conservation Guidelines for details.

Please note that Change of Use Lodgement Scheme is not applicable to conserved buildings in Historic Conservation Areas.

All Other Areas

For buildings outside of Historic Conservation Areas, please refer to our criteria for the use of the property.

 

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