My new tenant wants to turn an office into a tuition centre. Who needs to approve?
Several parties. URA must approve a change of use that moves the premises into a different use class, through a GoBusiness application costing S$500 that generally takes 10 working days. Under the Fire Safety Act, a change of use that makes existing fire safety measures inadequate needs SCDF approval before it happens, so a QP should assess occupant load and exits. The landlord or MCST must consent, and licensing agencies follow. URA advises not committing to tenancy or renovation before its decision.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in A&A and Fit-Out Approvals in Singapore: Who Approves What, and When. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
Most Singapore fit-outs and A&A works need several separate clearances: BCA for structural and non-exempt building works, SCDF for anything touching fire safety (plan approval, or a $90 minor A&A lodgement for small works), URA for change of use or external changes, the landlord, JTC or MCST, plus licensed electrical workers, licensed plumbers and gas workers for services. A Qualified Person coordinates the statutory submissions.
More questions on this topic
- Do I need BCA approval to put up office partitions?
- What is the SCDF minor A&A lodgement, and when can I use it?
- Can my contractor submit the plans instead of a QP?
- How long do approvals for a typical office fit-out take?
- Are approvals needed for electrical and plumbing changes in a fit-out?
- What happens if works start before approval?
- Does a condo owner need MCST approval for internal renovations?