Place of Worship
Check the Development Control guidelines for places of worship
Last updated on 8 June 2026
Advisory Notes
The guidelines set out in this handbook for the various development control parameters will generally be applied by URA in the consideration of a development application. However, if the circumstances of a case or the planning considerations relevant to a case so warrant, URA may in its discretion decide to depart from these general guidelines. Persons intending to carry out a development are advised to take this into consideration in the conduct of their affairs and check with URA through enquiries or development applications to confirm if their proposals can be allowed.
The guidelines, principles and illustrations found in the handbook series are not exhaustive in covering all possible site conditions and building designs. In evaluating the development applications, URA reserves the right to evaluate and impose conditions not covered in the handbook in respond to the specific design of the development proposal depending on merits.
Introduction
Place of Worship developments are zoned PW (Place of Worship) in the Master Plan. These sites are approved specifically for worshipping and they may include purpose-built mosques, churches and temples. All PWs are required to adhere to the development guidelines on the allowable Gross Plot Ratio (GPR), use quantum, ancillary uses, number of storeys, site coverage, building setback from road and common boundary. Designs for PW developments should be sensitive to the surrounding developments and minimise potential disamenities by locating uses and activities that may cause nuisance away from adjacent developments (e.g. nearby residents).