{"id":88503,"date":"2025-08-11T17:40:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T09:40:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/?p=88503"},"modified":"2025-08-11T17:40:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T09:40:18","slug":"government-to-ease-commercial-spaces-change-of-use-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/government-to-ease-commercial-spaces-change-of-use-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Government to ease change-of-use rules for commercial spaces and expand BID programme"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On August 5, during an interview with the media, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat revealed several upcoming changes. While there has been much attention on housing policies such as the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) as a possible replacement for the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS)<\/a>, and potential adjustments to eligibility criteria and income ceilings for Build-to-Order (BTO) flats<\/a>, there is also significant news for businesses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Table of contents<\/h3>\r\n
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  • Streamlining change-of-use process for commercial spaces<\/a><\/li>\r\n
  • Formalising the Business Improvement District (BID) programme<\/a><\/li>\r\n
  • Reducing red tape and offering ongoing business support<\/a><\/li>\r\n
  • Tying in with the Draft Master Plan 2025<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Streamlining change-of-use process for commercial spaces<\/b><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Right now, if you are running a business in a JTC business park or a community centre managed by the People\u2019s Association, you must apply for permission from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)<\/a> before changing the use of your space. This application process takes about two weeks and costs S$500.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Similarly, if you are planning to set up a land-based solar farm, URA approval is needed, and the application fee is significantly higher at S$3,500.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    However, this is about to change. The commercial space change-of-use process will be streamlined, removing the need for URA\u2019s permission for these types of changes. Instead, you will only need to get consent from the relevant landowner and meet all requirements set by the relevant authority.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    This move is part of a broader effort toward streamlining business approvals in Singapore, making it easier for you to adapt your business operations without unnecessary delays or costs.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n