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Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)

Exterior

Find out what you can change on the exterior of your semi-detached house.

Last updated 6 June 2026

Building Envelope

Isometric diagram showing setbacks and road buffer distances for building regulations.

Envelope Control

Under the envelope control guidelines, the overall building height is based on the allowable number of storeys and the floor-to-floor height in metres. The figures below show the building envelope and the relationship between storey height and allowable building height in metres.

  • Landed housing shall not exceed the 2-storey or 3-storey height control, or the prescribed storey height as shown in the designated landed housing plan in the Master Plan, whichever is lower.

  • The allowable building height is measured from the external platform level. If there is an existing level difference within the site, the allowable building envelope height may be taken separately from the two distinct platform levels.

Diagram of a building illustrating overall height and height in storeys with maximum dimensions.
Diagram showing the maximum height of a building with an attic, with dimensions and angles labeled.

Planter Boxes

Isometric view of a house with planter boxes on the balcony and windowsills. A close-up shows a planter box.

Planter boxes are cantilevered box structures for planting purposes with maximum depth of 0.5m.

They may protrude a maximum of 0.5m into the road buffer. Planter boxes shall not encroach into the common boundary (side & rear) setback.

Bay Windows

Architectural diagram of a building showing the permissible building envelope and the projection of a bay window from the envelope.

Bay windows are raised windows not exceeding one structural bay width and cantilevered at least 0.5m high from the floor. They shall be located within the permissible building envelope.

Ledge

Isometric view of a two-story house illustrating setback distances from property lines: rear, side, and road buffer.

Ledges may protrude a maximum of 1.0m into the road buffer and common boundary (side and rear) setbacks.

Sun Shading Devices

Isometric diagram of a house showing rear, side and road setbacks. Overhangs into common setbacks are marked as disallowed.

Horizontal sun-shading devices, vertical sun-shading fins/screens, minor decorative features may protrude a maximum of 0.5m into the road buffer.

They shall not encroach into the common boundary (side & rear) setback.

Balcony

Isometric drawing of a modern house with a red dashed line showing permissible building envelope.

Balconies may be covered or open-to-sky. They shall be located within the permissible building envelope.

Car Porch

Architectural diagram of a two-story house with measurements labeled for a canopy, screen, railing, and supports for an outdoor structure.

A single storey car porch shall not exceed the height of 4.5m and shall be set back at least 2.4m from the road reserve line.

The car porch roof may be used as an outdoor balcony or garden, but it shall remain open-to-sky and unenclosed. Only the following structures may be allowed:

  • 1.0m high visually porous parapet

  • Planters for landscaping

  • A maximum 1.0m wide sun shading canopy

  • 1.8m high lightweight screen (to provide privacy for neighboring house)

Terrace / Patio

Isometric view of a house showing setback lines, including front, side, and common boundary lines. A red outline marks a patio.

Terraces and patios shall be set back 2.4m from the road reserve line and at least 2.0m from the common (side) boundaries.

Terraces and patios shall not be enclosed. It must remain open-sided at all times.

Swimming Pool

Isometric view of a modern house with a sunken swimming pool highlighted in red. Includes balconies with plants and a boundary line.

Sunken swimming pools may abut common boundaries.

Raised swimming pools shall be set back 7.5m from the road reserve line, and 2.0m from common (side & rear) boundaries.

Appropriate measures shall be taken to prevent splashing of water into neighbouring property.

Minor Structures

Diagram of a house showing the locations of a water tank, sunken pump, meter compartment, letter box, and setback locations.

Water Tank, Pump, Meter Compartment & Letter Boxes 

Water tank and pump shall set back 7.5m from the road reserve line, and 2.0m from common (side & rear) boundaries. Sunken water pump is preferred.

Water tanks without pump not exceeding the boundary wall height of 1.8m (maximum) may abut the common boundaries.

Meter compartment and letter boxes shall not be more than 1.8m in height.

Boundary Wall

Isometric view of a two-story house with a 1.8m boundary wall.

Boundary walls shall not exceed 1.8m high.

Extensions

Isometric view of a house, illustrating setback distances from property lines (rear, side, road) and road reserve lines.
Isometric diagram of a house showing rear and side setbacks, road buffer, and extension areas outlined in red.

Extensions shall be located at least 7.5m from the road reserve, and at least 2.0m from the common (side & rear) boundaries.