Office Order No.5/2009, Processing of MSB and Special Building Applications for Planning Permission
CMDA, APU, MSB and IT Division issued Office Order No.5/2009 on 29 May 2009, signed by the Member-Secretary, to regulate the No Objection Certificates required for processing planning permission applications. It directs officials to insist only on certificates required by the Development Regulations and to admit MSB and Special Building applications only when every required certificate accompanies the application.
What the office order does
CMDA, APU, MSB and IT Division Office Order No.5/2009, dated 29 May 2009, gives internal instructions for processing MSB and Special Building applications for planning permission in CMDA. The instructions follow Government directions that only No Objection Certificates required by statute may be demanded when planning permission applications are processed.
The office order was signed by Vikaram Kapur, Member-Secretary. It was addressed to all DPs, APs and Planning Assistants in APU, with copies marked to other listed CMDA officers.
Main requirements
CMDA, APU, MSB and IT Division Office Order No.5/2009 sets out two connected requirements:
- Officials must insist only on No Objection Certificates that are required under the Development Regulations when processing applications.
- An MSB or Special Building application must be accompanied by all statutorily required No Objection Certificates before it is admitted.
- The instruction does not authorise officials to demand certificates that are not statutorily required under the Development Regulations.
The source does not list the individual No Objection Certificates required for each type of project. Applicants therefore need to identify the certificates applicable to their proposal under the Development Regulations.
Who is affected
CMDA, APU, MSB and IT Division Office Order No.5/2009 directly guides the CMDA personnel responsible for receiving and processing MSB and Special Building applications. It also affects applicants because an application cannot be admitted unless every statutorily required No Objection Certificate is submitted with it.
For property buyers, owners and professionals, the practical point is that missing a required certificate may prevent an MSB or Special Building application from being admitted. At the same time, processing officials are directed not to insist on certificates beyond those required by the Development Regulations.
Religious buildings
CMDA, APU, MSB and IT Division Office Order No.5/2009 records a separate Government Home Department position for religious buildings. The procedures then in use for processing approval applications for religious buildings could continue until the Government reached a decision. The source does not describe those procedures or record the later decision.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can CMDA ask for any No Objection Certificate while processing my application?
No. Office Order No.5/2009 directs officials to insist only on No Objection Certificates statutorily required under the Development Regulations.
Can I submit an MSB or Special Building application before obtaining all required certificates?
The application should be admitted only if it is accompanied by all statutorily required No Objection Certificates.
Does Office Order No.5/2009 list every certificate needed for an MSB or Special Building?
No. The source states that all statutorily required certificates must accompany the application, but it does not identify the individual certificates.
What does the office order say about approval applications for religious buildings?
It records that the procedures then in use could continue until the Government reached a decision. The source does not provide those procedures or the later decision.
