Do I need URA approval to repaint a conserved shophouse?
Yes. URA lists painting façades and murals as Category 3 works, which still need Conservation Permission before any work starts. Category 3 applications can be made by the owner or contractor without a Qualified Person through URA's e-service, cost nothing and are decided in about two weeks. After the works, the applicant submits photographs and URA issues a letter endorsing the completed works. URA may ask for a resubmission under Category 1 or 2 if the works are more extensive than described.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in A&A Works to Conserved Shophouses in Singapore: URA's 3R Rules, Permits and Fire Safety. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
Any work to a conserved shophouse needs URA Conservation Permission before it starts, even repainting. URA's rule is maximum Retention, sensitive Restoration and careful Repair: the roof, party walls, front façade, five-foot way and (in historic districts) timber floors must be kept. Rear extensions and roof mezzanines are allowed only within set limits, and Fire Code clause 9.9 governs timber floors and stairs.
More questions on this topic
- Which parts of a conserved shophouse must be kept?
- Can I build a rear extension to a conserved shophouse?
- Can I add an attic to a shophouse?
- What happened at 32 Desker Road?
- Does SCDF allow timber floors and staircases to stay?
- Can a conserved shophouse be converted to a hostel or co-living use?
- Can a contractor do conservation works without an architect?