Skip to main content
A Singapore Government Agency Website How to identify
Official website links end with .gov.sg
Government agencies communicate via .gov.sg websites (e.g. go.gov.sg/open). Trusted websites
Secure websites use HTTPS
Look for a lock () or https:// as an added precaution. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Welcome to our refreshed website!

We've updated the site to make information easier to access and navigate. While some content may have been reorganised, you can browse our updated sections to find what you need.

Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)

Home Office Scheme

Residents can run a small business from your home by registering for the Home Office Scheme with URA or HDB.

Last updated 23 June 2026

The Home Office Scheme allows homeowners, tenants or occupants of private residential property or HDB flats to operate small-scale offices in their homes, subject to the prevailing conditions of use.

You can use your private residential property or HDB flat to run the administrative functions of a business and hire up to two non-resident employees.

Your property must remain as a place of residence at all times. The business activities must be confined within the residential premises and you are reminded to be considerate of your neighbours.

Registering for Home Office Scheme

Architectural rendering of tall apartment buildings overlooking a park with a pond and people enjoying leisure activities.

Anyone who is the owner, tenant or any authorised occupant of a private residential property and wishes to operate a Home Office (HO) can register with URA. For HO in HDB flats, the owner, tenant or any authorised occupant of the HDB flat can register with HDB.

If you are not the owner, you must obtain written consent from the owner before you register for the HO use.

Validity of the Home Office Licence

The one-time permit is valid for the duration of your home office business. It may be revoked if conditions are breached.

For more information, please refer to:

Conditions of Use

Expand to see all conditions

  1. The person(s) conducting the business must be either the owner, registered occupier, or tenant of the private residential premises and continue to use the unit as a place of residence. The business activities shall be confined wholly within the premises.

  2. Up to two non-residents, including employees, partners and directors, are allowed to be engaged in the business at the Home Office unit.

  3. The business should not be on the list of non-permitted businesses under the Home Office scheme.

  4. The business activities must not be illegal, unlawful or immoral (e.g. gambling or pornography related activities).

  5. The business activities must not adversely affect the character, ambience and environment of the residential estate.

  6. There must be no solicitation of business that may cause disturbance to the residents or public, (e.g. distribution of brochures, flyers, or door-to-door visitations). There should be no selling of physical goods in or around the residential premises.

  7. There must be no advertisements, signages, or posters displayed at the residential premises.

  8. The applicant must take all necessary safety precautions and ensure that the business activities do not pose any danger to human lives or damage to properties.

  9. Consumption of electricity and structural load must not exceed the normal residential load. Storage and use of dangerous chemicals and/or hazardous substances are strictly prohibited.

  10. The business must comply with the regulations of other government authorities and obtain relevant licences/approvals before commencement of business. To search for the licences/approvals that may be required for the business, visit the GoBusiness Licensing Portal.

  11. No part of the relevant premises should comprise unauthorised works under the Planning Act.

  12. In accordance with fire safety requirements set by the Fire Safety and Shelter Department (FSSD), the applicant must install the following in the office area:

    • Minimally an 8A/34B ABC Dry Chemical Powder fire extinguisher (available at DIY shops)

    • A single-station smoke detector (battery operated; no wiring needed; available at DIY shops)

    • Note: This FSSD safety requirement is mandatory as the papers, files, and office equipment in a home office pose a slightly higher risk than those of an ordinary dwelling, thus the need for a fire extinguisher and smoke detector. If you have any enquiries on the fire safety requirements, please email SCDF_qp_consultant@scdf.gov.sg.

  13. Prior written consent of the owner of the residential premises is required if the person lodging the application form is not the owner.

  14. The requisite application fees are payable for the Home Office application.

  15. The Home Office registration may be cancelled and the use of the relevant premises as a Home Office shall cease, if there is any breach of the conditions of use.

Permitted and Non-Permitted Businesses for Home Office Scheme

Any business activities carried out under the Home Office Scheme must be administrative in nature. All other business activities are to be conducted elsewhere and no clients or customers are allowed to visit the residential premises.

Examples of Permitted Businesses

  1. Accountancy services

  2. Architectural services

  3. Consultancy services (business, engineering, IT, management, or education)

  4. Design/Advertising services

  5. Insurance/Financial planning services

  6. Real estate agencies

  7. Technology based and knowledge intensive businesses

  8. Trading office (excluding car trading office)

Examples of Non-Permitted Businesses

  1. Beauty, hair dressing or massage therapy services

  2. Contractors business

  3. Car trading business

  4. Card reading/palm reading or fortune telling in any form

  5. Commercial school (e.g. dance, music, language, tuition centre, etc.)

  6. Courier business

  7. Classes on dress-making/embroidery

  8. Clinics and pharmacies (e.g. dental, medical, veterinary, ophthalmology, etc.)

  9. Food catering/restaurants

  10. Funeral chapels or homes

  11. Maid/employment agency

  12. Manufacturing, preparation or processing of ANY products and goods

  13. Mausoleums

  14. Money lending business

  15. Repair activities (e.g. household appliances, electrical products, footwear, etc.)

  16. Sales/marketing that involves conducting seminars and talks for a large number of customers

  17. Shops and any form of retail activity, including pet shops

  18. Societies/clubs/associations

Apply

Register for Home Office Scheme (Private Homes)

Use this if you want to register your private residential property for home office scheme.