Some information on home-based businesses ... including home based baking businesses

HOME BASED SMALL SCALE BUSINESS SCHEME

Introduced in June 2003, the HDB Home Office Scheme is a government effort to nurture entrepreneurship. 

Owners or authorised occupiers or tenants can use their HDB flat or the living quarters of an HDB commercial-property address to register a business with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) as a home office.

Aside from registering with ACRA using your HDB address – you’d still need to seek approval from the HDB.

Apply at the Online Business Licensing Service website (https://licences.business.gov.sg). Approval is instant, if you meet the HDB’s conditions and your trade isn’t on the list of non-permissible businesses.

Examples of Home-based Activities that Can Be Allowed in Private and HDB Residential Premises

1. the resident who is at home doing office work using a computer, which is linked to the office main computer
2. the resident undertaking sewing work at home to supplement the household income
3. freelance artist/journalist/photographer/writer etc operating in his/her own home, without employing anyone and where business activities are not conducted within the premises
4. the resident baking cakes at home on a small scale for sale to his/her friends without turning the place into a bakery
5. the resident conducting private tuition for not more than 3 students at any one time
6. the resident undertaking hairdressing services to supplement household income, without employing any workers
7. the resident using a small part of the house for storage of goods which are for sale at the resident's own market stall, provided the storage does not exceed 10 cubic meter
8. the resident undertaking piecemeal work at his/her home from factory on work rate basis, to supplement household income.

Source:

https://www.ura.gov.sg/uol/guidelines/development-control/Home-Office-Scheme/Sections/FAQs/small-business-guidelines-for-setting-up-small-business-at-home.aspx

The Home Based Small Scale Business Scheme by HDB and URA allows residents to carry out activities in their HDB and private residential premises to supplement their income. Under this scheme, residents can prepare small quantities of food for sale to their friends and relatives without turning their residences into a commercial outlet. A licence is not required from NEA. Nonetheless, residents preparing food under the scheme can refer to these guidelines on good hygiene tips to adopt.

Good Food Hygiene Tips for residents preparing food under HDB/URA’s home-based

small scale business scheme

General

• The food prepared should be for friends and family only. Food should not be sold to

retail food outlets.

• All food preparation activities should be confined to the kitchen. Food should not be

prepared or stored in any other room including bedrooms and living rooms.

• Do not keep any pets (such as dogs, cats, etc.) that can roam freely in the house.

• Children and infants should not be allowed in the kitchen area during food

preparation.

• Do moderate your incoming orders and avoid taking orders of large quantity

• No commercial-grade cooking equipment should be installed. If you need more and

bigger equipment to accommodate to a larger number of clients, you should shift to a

proper food premises to operate. 

Source:

http://www.nea.gov.sg/public-health/food-hygiene

http://www.nea.gov.sg/docs/default-source/public-health/food-hygiene/guidelines.pdf