Guidelines For Building Plan Submission in Singapore
A Building Plan shall be submitted prior to any construction or renovation work in Singapore. Basically, a building plan is not an architectural drawing alone; it’s a detail-oriented document on design, structure, and purpose for a building. The main purpose of this plan is to see that the proposed building work totally agrees with the rigorous regulations of Singapore, meets safety standards, and fits within a framework of urban planning. Upon the submission of a building plan, you will be contributing to the assurance that your project gives a positive input in terms of city development and safety.
General Guidelines for Building Plan Submission in Singapore
1. Pre-Submission Requirements
Before a building plan is submitted, there will be some pre-submission requirements that shall be fulfilled. These range from requirements relating to a site survey and engaging a QP to ensuring that the land use of your proposed development complies with the Master Plan zoning regulations. This is normally the duty of an architect or a professional engineer qualified as a Qualified Person who will take you through the whole process and ensure your building plan complies with all legal and technical provisions.
2. Plan Preparation
3. Submission Requirements
Once the plan is ready, it should be sent for approval to the Building and Construction Authority. Attach all documents pertaining to the site plan, elevation drawing, and structural plan or any other supporting documents relevant thereto. Also, see that all forms are correctly filled up and the submission is as per the laid-down guidelines by the BCA. Discrepancies or missing information may cause undue delay in approval.
4. Fees
When you submit your building plan, there will be some required fees to be paid. These fees differ according to the scale and kind of development. In general, these fees will include the processing fee for the submission, checking of the plans, and other supplementary appraisals that might be needed. It is good to refer to the BCA’s website for the recent fee schedule so that this item will be properly budgeted.
5. Regulatory Clearances
Other than obtaining approval from the BCA, you will need to go through clearances from other regulatory bodies, again based on the nature of the development. An example would be that if your building is sited in proximity to any water body, then it would require approval from the Public Utilities Board. Similarly, developments falling under certain areas may need clearance from the Urban Redevelopment Authority. This consists of identifying all such clearances and obtaining them before construction can actually begin.
6. Plan Checking
After the submission process, BCA will go through your building plan in detail. This is to ensure that the proposed development complies with the building regulations and its standards. The BCA will look into the different aspects of the plan regarding structural integrity, fire safety, and accessibility. In case of any irregularities, then you shall have to revise the plan and resubmit it for further review.
7. Approval and Permit
Assuming the building plan is properly checked and it passes all the set regulatory requirements, then approval from BCA would be granted. Inclusions to this approval usually include a permit for allowing a person to start construction. This means you cannot start construction before the permit has been issued. There will be a time frame within which the permit will be valid, so you should start construction accordingly.
8. Post-Approval
Even upon passing the approval, there exist some post-approval requirements to be adhered to. It includes frequent inspections in the course of construction to ensure the building is built according to the sanctioned plan. All deviations from the sanctioned plan will attract penalties or even withdrawal of the permit. After the construction is over, there is a final inspection which is done to ensure everything is in order before occupation.
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Understanding the process and what is required to submit a building plan in Singapore will help in ensuring that your construction project runs smoothly and successfully. Closely working within the guidelines provided will dramatically increase the chances of your Building Plan being approved without any unnecessary delays. These steps will walk one through the process, therefore fully concentrating on the progress of his or her project. Should you require any more information or maybe even clarification on submitting Building Plans, there is also a ready pool of experts who will always be at hand to give every necessary advice at any stage of the process. We are committed to helping you right from the very start through to the last step in ensuring that your project stays on course and meets all statutory standards.