| 1. |
Do every addition and alteration works
to residential buildings require plan approval from BCA? |
| |
Some minor additions and alterations
to residential buildings, which do not affect the structural
stability or integrity of the existing building, are exempted
under the Building Control Act from the need to apply for an
approval or a permit. The list of exempted building works is
given in `The Schedule' of the Building Control Act. |
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| 2. |
Do I have to pay a fee for the submission
of building plans? What is the amount? |
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The application for approval
of plans must be accompanied by the payment of fees computed
in accordance with Regulations 108 to 111 of the Building Control
Regulations.
Generally, computation of the building plan fee is based on
the following:
| a) |
$200 for every 100m2 of
new or extended area or part thereof; |
| b) |
$100 for additions, alterations
or amendments to each approved storey, with no increase
in floor area; and |
| b) |
$100 per submission for
works other than the above. |
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Where the plans are disapproved
or withdrawn, there will be no refund of plan fee. |
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| 3. |
Will building plan fee be required for
covered car park or car porch which is not counted as Gross
Floor Area (GFA) by Urban Redevelopment Authority? |
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Yes. Building plan fee is payable
for covered car park or car porch as this is classified as "other
area" of the statistical gross floor area (SGFA) computation
as defined in Regulation 108(2) of the Building Control Regulations. |
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| 4. |
How soon can BP approval be obtained
upon submission of application for building plan approval? |
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The response time is 2 weeks.
However, most plans are approved within a week. |
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| 5. |
What shall I do after the building plan
is approved? |
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You shall obtain a permit from
the BCA to carry out the building works within 12 months from
the date of approval and apply for a Certificate of Statutory
Completion (CSC) or Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) on completion
of works. Where structural works is involved, a PE (Civil/Structural)
shall also submit the structural plans for approval and henceforth
apply for a permit to carry out the building works. |
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| 6. |
How long will the approval for the building
works be valid? |
| |
The approval granted in respect
of the building works will automatically lapse:
| a) |
if the written permission
granted by the Competent Authority under the Planning
Act lapses; |
| b) |
if the building works are
not commenced within the prescribed period; |
| b) |
in cases where no written
permission is granted under section 14 of the Planning
Act in respect of those building works, if the building
works are suspended for a continuous period of more than
6 months. |
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| 5. |
Will further
extension be granted if the approved building works lapse? |
| |
The Commissioner of Building
Control may, at his discretion, grant further extension, provided
that the written permission granted under the Planning Act is
still valid. However, the request for extension should be made
before the approval lapses. |
