GST refunds for processing fees paid on Development Applications and Lodgments. Click for more details.
 

From 1 July 2024, all government SMSes will be sent from a single Sender ID gov.sg. To find out more, visit sms.gov.sg.

 

Be wary of phishing or scam attempts. URA will NOT ask for sensitive personal information relating to your accounts, such as your Singpass ID/password or your banking ID/password. As a safeguard, all official SMSes sent by URA will not carry clickable links. Use our feedback form to report any suspicious SMSes supposedly from URA. Stay vigilant and safe! Learn how to spot these scams.
  1. Home
  2. Guidelines
  3. Development Control
  4. Residential Handbooks
  5. Bungalows (or Detached Houses)
  6. Earthworks

Bungalows (or Detached Houses)

Earthworks

Earthworks are defined as any operations or works in, on, or over land which result in substantial modification to the existing ground terrain, land form, or slope. These include excavation, formation of a new slope or embankment, and cut and fill operations.

Earthworks involving earthcut or earthfill shall be minimised to avoid excessive changes to the existing terrain. The scale of earthworks allowed would depend on the location and purpose of the proposed earthworks. All proposed earthworks shall be evaluated to ensure they are sensitive to the wider site context and its impact to the surrounding developments.

Allowable Earthworks

Earthworks to raise the existing platform level of the entire development site are generally not allowed. This is to avoid creating new retaining walls.

Earthworks are generally not allowed within the road buffer/building setbacks. Any proposed earthworks shall be assessed based on site context. Where allowed, they shall not exceed 1m.

Earthworks of more than 1m to meet PUB's minimum platform level (MPL)1 shall be assessed on the merits of the proposal. Refer to earthworks in low-lying areas sub-section.

Earthworks may be considered to:

  • Create a vehicular access of maximum 4m wide.
  • Match the existing platform levels of the neighbouring sites.
  • Create a workable platform level to mitigate level differences within an undulating or sloping site, or between the site and road.
  • Facilitate building of a fully submerged basement. The area within the building setback distances shall be reinstated to the original platform level upon the completion of the basement.

1 Minimum Platform Level (MPL): The minimum 1st storey level to be provided within the site. The MPL is determined by the Public Utilities Board (PUB).

The proposed earthworks shall be evaluated in relation to the permissible building envelope under the Envelope Control guidelines.

For low-lying sites that need to meet PUB’s minimum platform level (MPL):

  • Only the building structures or internal living areas and setback areas from common boundaries shall be raised to meet the stipulated MPL.
  • The road buffer area of the development site need not be raised to the required MPL. For flood protection purposes, the road buffer area has to be 300mm above the adjacent road level, or not lower than the existing ground level, whichever is higher.
  • Any common retaining-cum-boundary walls or fences shall be designed sensitively, as these may be higher than the existing levels of adjacent houses or land parcels.
  • The following condition shall be annotated on plans: “The Developer/Owner is fully aware that he shall raise the structures/areas built to lower platform levels, to or above the recommended Minimum Platform Level as and when the adjacent grounds/roads are raised in future and comply with any other conditions deemed necessary by PUB.”

Refer to Basements section for more information on the treatment of internal areas below the MPL.

Last updated on 5 July 2019

Top