VARIOUS CONTROLS
In her response, Ms Sun said that the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) considers where and what type of businesses can be located at its planning level.
Nightlife establishments are not allowed in both sold and rental Housing Development Board (HDB) shops, and new nightlife establishments are not allowed within commercial developments integrated with residential units, she said.
On Ms Phua’s point on the concentration of such outlets, Ms Sun noted that the URA and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) have identified exclusion areas where new nightlife or massage establishments are not allowed.
This is due to a high concentration of existing outlets and complaints from residents.
“Government agencies will continue to work closely with grassroots advisors to manage local concentration issues and will not hesitate to turf out unsavoury operators who do not adhere to regulations or tenancy conditions,” she said.
In heartlands, HDB imposes planning and mix controls by maintaining a published list of allowable uses and sets quotas to regulate the number of massage establishments in each HDB estate, Ms Sun said.
Ms Sun added that agencies have approval mechanisms such as licensing, which serve as a “gatekeeping tool” to assess operator suitability and establish operational requirements.
Nightlife establishments and massage establishments are regulated by the SPF and the licensing framework ensures that these venues are not misused for vice activities, she said.
She added that the police are currently reviewing the massage establishment regulations to ensure that the regulatory regime is updated and fit for purpose, and that industry consultation will be done in due course.
Apart from licensing, government agencies use tenancy conditions to address disturbances.
For example, coffee shops are required to stop the use of their outdoor refreshment areas by 11pm. They are also required to install appropriate exhaust systems and grease traps, and implement proper waste management practices to control odour issues and maintain hygiene.
When it comes to enforcement, there is no “one size fits all” approach as it involves multiple stakeholders and varying circumstances, Ms Sun said.
Agencies strive to work closely together on enforcement, she added.
An example is URA’s partnership with other agencies to adopt a three-strikes approach to deal with businesses that flout rules or requirements.
SPF and HDB have also taken joint enforcement action to work with shop owners to evict close to 40 massage establishment operators in 2025, she said.
For food establishments operating in HDB estates, HDB takes into account the feedback received by different agencies when assessing tenancy and tenancy renewals.
On Ms Phua’s suggestion for mandatory pre-approval consultation, Ms Sun said that applicants are provided with information on relevant planning parameters, licensing requirements and tenancy conditions.
“Agencies will continue to look at how to make this information clearer and more transparent upfront for applicants,” she said.
She added that Ms Phua’s suggestion on the “good neighbour agreements” would be encouraged at the grassroots level to establish good social norms and community relations between local businesses and residents.
While government agencies rely on legally binding tenancy agreements and licenses, they will take into account feedback from the community when considering the amount of outdoor leasing space and rental renewals, she said.