If you have just moved into your new premises and want to convert its usage e.g. from a food stall to a private tuition centre, you may need to apply for approval from the Housing & Development Board (HDB) or Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
URA's Change Of Use
HDB's Change/Inclusion Of Trade
URA's Change Of Use
Material Change
- You need to seek permission from URA whenever you make a material change to the use of any building or land.
- If you take a nightclub and change it into a pet shop, it is considered a material change and you will have to apply for Change of Use.
- If you take a watch retail shop and change it into a clothes retail shop, it is not a material change. The premises are still essentially used for retail.
- If you take a piece of vacant land and turn it into a food outlet, it is a material change.
Change Of Use Guidelines
- In short, you need to apply for Change of Use when:
- You change from one use class to another use class e.g. from retail to theatre.
- The "use" of your premises does not fall into any of the existing use classes.
- You do not have to apply for Change of Use when:
- You change from one use to another use in the same class.
- You want to change a commercial building or shophouse into a shop and the premises has already been approved for commercial use and is currently used for one of the following:
Things To Note
- You may have to pay a Development Charge or Temporary Development Levy before you can obtain your Change of Use approval.
For More Information
Relevant guidelines for Change of Use
Find out what is the current "approved use" for your premises
Find out if you need to apply for URA's Change of Use