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Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)

Introduction to Guidelines for Buildings in Conservation Areas

The following outlines the Introduction to Guidelines for Buildings in Conservation Areas.

Last updated 11 June 2026

All proposed works will need to comply with the conservation guidelines and the Specific Restoration Guidelines (SRG). Conservation Permission is required before all additions & alteration works and operations of new use can begin. If you are unsure whether your proposed works require Conservation Permission, please consult URA.

The conservation guidelines consist of planning parameters, restoration guidelines, envelope control guidelines, signage guidelines, and use guidelines for buildings in Conservation Areas.

Read more about our conservation guidelines here.

Specific Restoration Guidelines (SRG)

This service allows owners and their agents to apply for Specific Restoration Guidelines for their unit to facilitate development applications for restoration works. If you intend to carry out works, Conservation Permission is required.

Apply for Specific Restoration Guidelines
Colorful Peranakan-style shophouses in Singapore, framed by trees. Buildings are yellow, orange, coral, and blue.

In the Singapore context, conservation guidelines are applied in different degrees to the different groups of conservation areas taking into consideration their historical significance, the context of the surrounding developments and the long-term planning intention for each area.

  • Historic Districts : Boat Quay, Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India

  • Residential Historic Districts : Blair Plain, Cairnhill, and Emerald Hill

  • Secondary Settlements : Balestier, Beach Road, Geylang, Jalan Besar, Jalan Jurong Kechil, Joo Chiat, Mount Sophia, River Valley, Tanjong Katong, Upper Circular Road and Tiong Bahru

Read more about our conservation areas here.

Owners, architects and engineers intending to carry out restoration works or development within conservation areas are required to comply with the guidelines accordingly. For other building types, which do not conform to the standard shophouse or bungalow typology, these will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with conservation principles1.

Read more about our conservation principles here.

1 The conservation guidelines for shophouses and bungalows will generally be applied by URA in the consideration of a development application. However, if the circumstances or planning considerations relevant to a case warrant it, URA may in its discretion decide to depart from these general guidelines. The guidelines, principles and illustrations found in the guidelines are not exhaustive in covering all possible site conditions and variations in building type. Persons intending to carry out a development are advised to take this into consideration and check with URA through enquiries or development applications to confirm if their proposals can be allowed.