What happens if works start before approval?
Carrying out building works without approved plans or a permit is an offence under section 20 of the Building Control Act, with a maximum fine of S$200,000, two years' jail, or both, plus daily fines for continuing offences. Fire safety works without SCDF approval carry similar maximums under the Fire Safety Act. Authorities can order works stopped, corrected or removed, and regularisation after the fact usually costs more than doing it in sequence.
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?
- My new tenant wants to turn an office into a tuition centre. Who needs to approve?
- 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?
- Does a condo owner need MCST approval for internal renovations?