Building Plan Submission Process Flow

Under the Sewerage and Drainage Act, Qualified Persons (QPs) are required to submit detailed building plans to PUB for clearance related to any building and structural works. This is necessary to minimise flood risk to developments to safeguard public health and water resources, and to protect the integrity of the public sewerage system and public drainage system during construction works.

Before Sewerage, Sanitary and Drainage works can proceed, the QP shall obtain PUB’s Development Control (DC) clearance in compliance with the broad planning parameters for the project, and PUB’s Detailed Plan (DP) clearance for the detailed design of the various works in compliance with the respective PUB Codes of Practices. Upon completion of works, QPs shall apply for PUB’s clearances for Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP)/Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC).

QPs re to refer to resources provided like Codes of Practice and Standard Drawings and Guides and Handbooks in the developing plans and construction.

Simplified Submission

Simplified Submissions allow for reduced processing time for simple projects. The QP may lodge the Simplified Submission (SS) and receive a system generated acknowledgement within a day.

SS is a lodgement based on the QP's declaration. QP is reminded to check thoroughly before making submission for the project. Upon request by PUB, the QP may be required to provide his plans for audit. For proposal that does not meet any of the SS criteria, DC submission shall be made.

Upon completion of work, QP is required to make a submission for PUB TOP/CSC clearance.

Simplified Submission Criteria

A SS may be submitted for Sewerage and Sanitary works and/or Drainage works if the project meets the following criteria:

A) Addition & Alteration (A&A) works to be single landed residential house, factory (excluding workers' dormitory) or shops (excluding food shops or food establishments) that involves only construction works/activities within the existing building meeting the following criteria:

New or alteration to the sanitary facilities and sanitary pipes fully complies with the Code of Practice on Sewerage and Sanitary Works.
There are no buildings/structures above public sewer or within public sewer setback.
There is no change to drain-line connection to public sewer.
No new or alteration of existing on-site facilities such as retention tank, holding tank and sewerage treatment plant (STP).
The total discharge of used water will not exceed 2 litres/second (including ejector system).

B) New erection or reconstruction of single-landed residential house, such as single unit of terrace house, semi-detached house, bungalow that meets the following conditions:

There is no public sewer or combined sanitary drain-line within the lot.
Reuse existing drain-line connection which is connected to the public sewer located at public area.
There is no new sewer proposed.
No new or alteration of existing on-site facilities such as retention tank, holding tank and sewerage treatment plant (STP).
Total discharge of used water will not exceed 2 litres/second (including ejector system).

C) Erection of external structures such as covered linkway, bus shelter, pedestrian overhead bridge (POB)

No works proposed within the sewer setback.

Project involves minor/A&A works and meet the following conditions:

No reconstruction of the first storey (no increase of site area of building)
No linkages to special underground facilities,
Not affecting public drain (i.e. at least 300mm away from the drain wall)
Not within Drainage Reserve
Not affected by common drain

Examples are as follow:

Construction of additional floors without reconstructing the first storey and where there are no linkages to special underground facilities.
Internal upgrading works such as internal staircase, lift installation/upgrading (without basement), doors, partitions, floor/wall finishes and other similar architectural fittings.
A&A to the architectural or interior floor layout of the building.
A&A to the void decks of HDB residential blocks such as education centre, study centre, childcare centre, day activity centre (disabled/senior citizens), and RC centre.
Addition or erection of external structures such as canopy, awning, booth, kiosk, bicycle rack, covered linkways (within development site) and other similar amenities.

New or alteration to the sanitary facilities and sanitary pipes fully complies with the Code of Practice on Sewerage and Sanitary Works.
There are no buildings/structures above public sewer or within public sewer setback.
There is no change to drain-line connection to public sewer.
No new or alteration of existing on-site facilities such as retention tank, holding tank and sewerage treatment plant (STP).
The total discharge of used water will not exceed 2 litres/second (including ejector system).

B) New erection or reconstruction of single-landed residential house, such as single unit of terrace house, semi-detached house, bungalow that meets the following conditions:

There is no public sewer or combined sanitary drain-line within the lot.
Reuse existing drain-line connection which is connected to the public sewer located at public area.
There is no new sewer proposed.
No new or alteration of existing on-site facilities such as retention tank, holding tank and sewerage treatment plant (STP).
Total discharge of used water will not exceed 2 litres/second (including ejector system).

C) Erection of external structures such as covered linkway, bus shelter, pedestrian overhead bridge (POB)

No works proposed within the sewer setback.

Project involves minor/A&A works and meet the following conditions:

No reconstruction of the first storey (no increase of site area of building)
No linkages to special underground facilities,
Not affecting public drain (i.e. at least 300mm away from the drain wall)
Not within Drainage Reserve
Not affected by common drain

Examples are as follow:

Construction of additional floors without reconstructing the first storey and where there are no linkages to special underground facilities.
Internal upgrading works such as internal staircase, lift installation/upgrading (without basement), doors, partitions, floor/wall finishes and other similar architectural fittings.
A&A to the architectural or interior floor layout of the building.
A&A to the void decks of HDB residential blocks such as education centre, study centre, childcare centre, day activity centre (disabled/senior citizens), and RC centre.
Addition or erection of external structures such as canopy, awning, booth, kiosk, bicycle rack, covered linkways (within development site) and other similar amenities.

Deviation from Code of Practice

QPs shall obtain PUB’s approval for the deviations from Code of Practice by providing all the relevant technical information (such as photos, drawings and plans).

QPs who do not follow the correct process and procedure may encounter delays in the processing of their submission when the case is rejected due to non-compliance.

More about the Building Plan Submission Process

Submission Process

Click here for an overview of the submission process.

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Simplified Submission Process

Click here for an overview of the Simplified Submission (SS) process for projects that meet SS criteria.

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