Our third and final part of our Landed Houses Design Series will focus on Bungalows/Detached houses.
A bungalow is a detached landed house with its own land title. Bungalows may be built in any designated landed housing area, including semi-detached housing or mixed landed housing areas. In Good Class Bungalow Areas (GCBA) or in other bungalow areas, only bungalow developments are allowed.
Land Size
There are 2 types of detached houses in Singapore:
Within GCBA area
- Minimum plot size of 1,400m2
- Minimum width of 18.5m
- Depth of 30m
- Maximum site coverage of 40%
Outside GCBA area
- Minimum plot size of 400m2
- Minimum width of 10m
- Maximum site coverage of 50%
Land Use
The URA Master Plan, which is reviewed every 5 years, sets out the permissible land use and density of the development of land and property in Singapore. Land owners can refer to the Landed Housing Areas Plan, to find out the land use of their property. Broadly speaking, this plan informs you on the allowable storey height of the detached house.
Areas highlighted in red are zoned as landed houses, under the URA Landed Housing Areas Plan
Areas highlighted in red are zoned as landed houses and their respective building height controls are shown, under the URA Landed Housing Areas Plan.
Redeveloping to a Bungalow
Outside GCBA, the redevelopment of other housing forms to Bungalows may be considered under the following conditions:
- From a Semi-detached to a Bungalow
A semi-detached house may be redeveloped into a bungalow if:
- It complies with the minimum plot size of 400sqm and plot width of 10m, and
- The left behind (or remaining) semi-detached unit is capable of being redeveloped into a new bungalow in the future (minimum plot size of 400sqm, plot width of 10m).
- From a Terrace House to a Bungalow
An intermediate or corner terrace house may be redeveloped into a bungalow if:
- It complies with the minimum plot width of 10m and plot size of 400sqm, and
- The adjoining terrace house qualifies to become a new corner terrace unit in future (minimum plot size of 200sqm and plot width of 8m)
Example of redevelopment of existing semi-detached house to bungalow/semi detached house.
Height Control
The permissible building envelope for a 2-storey or a 3-storey landed house is controlled by the envelope control guidelines. The guidelines define the allowable building envelope based on the setbacks, storey height and external platform level. The permissible building envelopes for 2 and 3-storey landed housing are shown below.
12m height control for a 2-storey landed house.
15.5m height control for a 3-storey landed house.
For sloping sites where there is an existing level difference within the site, the allowable building height will be determined through the use of a sloping building envelope measured from the allowable external platform levels at the front and rear setback lines. All building structures (including any exposed basement arising from the sloping site) should be contained within this resultant sloping envelope:
Building Setback
For detached houses, the building setback is 2m for the side and rear (outside GCBA) or 3m for the side and rear (within GCBA), while the front setback is dependent on the category of road it is fronting. In order to find out the category of road, you can interpret LTA’s (Land Transport Authority) Road Line Plan.
Building setback for bungalows within GCBA
Building setback for bungalows outside GCBA
Besides the typical planning parameters, setback requirements can also be subject to the encroachment of other elements on the site. In many cases, there are minor sewers present at the rear of the landed house. Depending on the depth and size of the minor sewer, further setbacks may be required. Alternatively, concrete trenches can also be constructed, subject to waiver approval from PUB. The planning parameters discussed above are to provide for a broad based understanding of the planning parameters. We understand that every site is unique and every Client’s requirements are different. To find out more, you can contact us here.
