Shop House

The business use of a shophouse depends on the land use zoning it is in. You can check the zoning from URA’s website.

Shophouse zone ResidentialShophouse zone CommercialOthers
Shophouses/shopflats are zoned for different uses depending on its location.
Shop Units at First Storey
Permissible uses

    No Planning Permission is required

  • Shop, beauty salon
  • Takeaway food shop (no dining in)
  • Childcare centre
    Planning Permission Required

  • You may apply to change the use of the shop unit to compatible commercial or community institution uses (e.g. office, commercial school, restaurant, medical clinic1 etc.).
  • The application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and considers:
    whether the first-storey units are required for “activity generating uses” (e.g. shops and restaurants)
  • whether the new use will affect the character/ambience of the area
    amenity issues e.g. noise, traffic & car parking problems
  • residents’ concerns and feedback on social and vice problems
  • Note:
    Medical clinic1 requires planning permission. Exemption from planning application is allowed if the total medical clinic GFA (including the proposed medical clinic) does not exceed 1,000sqm. Refer to details in Circular No : URA/PB/2014/28-DCG dated 23 Dec 2014)
    Not Allowed

  • Amusement centre, bar/pub, nightclub, karaoke lounge, health centre.
  • Food catering/food production.
  • Industrial workshop, vehicle servicing/repair/installation, tyre & battery and car accessories workshop, coffin shop/funeral parlour
  • Religious use
Residential Flats at Upper Storeys
Permissible uses

    No Planning Permission is required

  • Residential use
  • Subletting for residential use is allowed subject to conditions
  • Home Office is allowed subject to conditions
    Planning Permission Required

  • Students’ hostels can be considered if you meet certain conditions.
    Not Allowed

  • Change of use to other non-residential uses is unlikely to be approved.
Shop Units at First Storey
Permissible uses

    No Planning Permission is required

  • Shop, beauty salon
  • Takeaway food shop (no dining in)
  • Childcare centre
    Planning Permission Required

  • You may apply to change the use of the shop unit to: commercial/community institution uses (e.g. office, commercial school, restaurant, medical clinic1 etc.), or entertainment/services uses (e.g. amusement centre, bar/pub, nightclub, karaoke lounge, health centre). The application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and considers:
  • whether the first-storey units are required for “activity generating uses” (e.g. shops and restaurants)
  • whether the new use will affect the character/ambience of the area
  • amenity issues e.g. noise, traffic & car parking problems
  • residents’ concerns and feedback on social and vice problems
  • Note:
    Medical clinic1 requires planning permission. Exemption from planning application is allowed if the total medical clinic GFA (including the proposed medical clinic) does not exceed 1,000sqm. Refer to details in Circular No : URA/PB/2014/28-DCG dated 23 Dec 2014)
    Not Allowed

  • Food catering/food production.
  • Industrial workshop, vehicle servicing/repair/installation, tyre & battery and car accessories workshop, coffin shop/funeral parlour
  • Religious use
Residential Flats at Upper Storeys
Permissible uses

    No Planning Permission is required

  • Residential use
  • Subletting for residential use is allowed subject to conditions
  • Home Office is allowed subject to conditions
    Planning Permission Required

  • Change of use to compatible commercial uses such as office and shop can be considered for approval.
  • Other commercial uses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Shophouse zone Residential with First Storey Commercial
Shop Units at First Storey
Permissible uses

    No Planning Permission is required

  • Shop, beauty salon
  • Takeaway food shop (no dining in)
  • Childcare centre
    Planning Permission Required

  • You may apply to change the use of the shop unit to compatible commercial or community institution uses (e.g. office, commercial school, restaurant, medical clinic1, etc.). The application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and considers:
  • whether the first-storey units are required for “activity generating uses” (e.g. shops and restaurants)
  • whether the new use will affect the character/ambience of the area
  • amenity issues e.g. noise, traffic & car parking problems
  • residents’ concerns and feedback on social and vice problems
  • Note:
    Medical clinic1 requires planning permission. Exemption from planning application is allowed if the total medical clinic GFA (including the proposed medical clinic) does not exceed 1,000sqm. Refer to details in Circular No : URA/PB/2014/28-DCG dated 23 Dec 2014.
    Not Allowed

  • Amusement centre, bar/pub, nightclub, karaoke lounge, health centre.
  • Food catering/food production.
  • Industrial workshop, vehicle servicing/repair/installation, tyre & battery and car accessories workshop, coffin shop/funeral parlour
  • Religious use
Residential Flats at Upper Storeys
Permissible uses

    No Planning Permission is required

  • Residential use
  • Subletting for residential use is allowed subject to conditions
  • Home Office is allowed subject to conditions
    Planning Permission Required

  • Temporary change of use for residential flats above shops can be considered for approval for the following uses:
  • student care centre
  • home for the aged
  • community institution use (e.g. association, family service centre, community library)
  • students’ hostel2
  • serviced apartment2
  • office3
  • commercial school4
    Not Allowed

  • Change of use to other non-residential uses is unlikely to be approved.
Source: URA