Structural Plan submission

Guidelines for ST Plan applications

As the appointed Qualified Person (QP) for structural works, you are responsible for obtaining approval for structural plans and securing a building permit before construction begins. View the comprehensive collection of guidelines, circulars, and advisories which include: 

• General Guidelines

• Earth Retaining and Stabilising Structures (ERSS) and Slope (include soil nailing and ground anchors) 

• Tunnelling Works 

• Foundation Works 

• Structural Steel 

• Reinforced Concrete  

• Seismic Consideration 

• Mass Engineered Timber & Fibre Concrete Structures 

• Construction Site Supervision and Records 

• Specialist Builder Requirements 

• Landed Houses 

Statistical Gross Floor Area (SGFA) and plan fees

The Statistical Gross Floor Area (SGFA) is the total area of plan view, encompassing all covered spaces, and forms the basis for computing plan fees. It's crucial to accurately compute SGFA and understand the definitions of General Building and Specified Building to apply the correct plan fees rates for both main and amendment plans. See the detailed guide to SGFA computation and plan fees.

Permit for structural works 

When the structural plan is approved, a permit is required to be obtained before the structural works can start. The application for a permit must be made jointly by the developer, Qualified Person (QP), and builder who will carry out the works. Learn the detailed guide of structural works permit application, including all required documents, forms, and procedural steps, to ensure a smooth process. 

Structural Plan submission

Before submitting your application for approval of structural plans and building permit, you must be familiar with current guidelines and legislation. Below is an overview of when permits are required, who can apply, submission requirements, and how to file your application.

When is a permit required? 

A permit is required for all building works, except for those classified as insignificant building works. The exceptions are listed in the First Schedule of the Building Control Regulations.

Who can apply?

Approval for Structural Plans

Only a Qualified Person (QP) who is a registered Professional Engineer in the civil or structural discipline can apply for structural plan approval.

When to submit applications

Note:

• ¹: Indicated timeframe is only applicable for applications for plan approval that fulfils regulatory requirements in the first instance. In addition, BCA requires longer response time when the appointed QP demonstrates poor submission quality for his/her previous structural plan submissions, such as having a high number of Written Directions.

• You can apply for a permit together with your application for approval of structural plans or after obtaining plan approval.

• You can seek approval of structural plans in phases (e.g. piling, substructure or basement and superstructure), or submit multiple plans for independent structures if your project is complex.

• If there are material changes (i.e. changes that require a re-design of key structural elements) to the approved plans during building, you must obtain approval before carrying out the proposed change on site. If changes are immaterial (i.e. changes that do not affect any key structural element or if they do, the effects are localised in nature and do not require a re-design of key structural elements), you can proceed without prior approval. However, you must keep and maintain a record of all changes and incorporate them in subsequent structural plans.

Approval of Structural Plan

Required forms and documents: 

• Application form for structural plan approval: Form BCA-BE-STAPPV01 (BEV/A1) 

• Declaration by a qualified person for structural works (retaining wall): Form BCA-BE-STAPPV01-RW and BCA-BE-STAPPV01-A1/Appendix 

• One set of detailed structural plans signed by the QP for structural works. The first and last sheets must be endorsed with a certificate by the QP as shown in Appendix B [PDF, 35.2 KB].

• One set of building plans (e.g. architectural plans) for reference, signed by the QP who prepared them. 

• One set of structural design calculations. The first and last pages of each calculation book must be signed and endorsed by the QP with a certificate as shown in Appendix B [PDF, 35.2 KB]. 

• A copy of valid planning permission, lodgement receipt, or no-objection letter (for erection of retaining walls in emergency cases) from the Competent Authority, URA 

• Plan fee computation (if applicable) 

• Calculations of structural buildability score (if applicable) — Use Form BCA-BE-BS02 (BEV/A1-BS02)

Additional forms and documents are required for exceptional cases:

1. Submissions requiring an AC Certificate: 

   • Accredited Checker’s Certificate - Form BCA-BE-STAPPV01 – ACC (BEV/A2) 

   • Accredited Checker’s Checklist in Design Evaluation Report – Form BCA-BE-ACCHECKLIST (BEV/A3) 

   • Evaluation report with one set of the AC’s independent structural analysis and design check calculations 

   • Standard certification by AC as shown in Appendix C 

   • Note: Refer to the Second Schedule of the Building Control (Accredited Checkers and Accredited Checking Organisations) Regulations and Fourth Schedule of the Building Control Regulations for information on works requiring and exempted from an AC.

2. Submissions involving A&A works: 

   • Endorsed plans by a Professional Engineer, with a certificate as shown in Appendix D [PDF, 28.6 KB], if the building’s structural stability or integrity is not affected 

   • AC’s certificate, if the work materially affects key structural elements (e.g. strengthening works) 

3. For Geotechnical Building Works (GBW): 

   • Certification by QP(Geo) as shown in Appendix E [PDF, 35.4 KB]

   • Certification by AC(Geo) as shown in Appendix F [PDF, 36.7 KB]

4. For fixings or claddings:

   • The QP must provide a certification letter. If the QP for cladding is not the same as the main QP, both the main QP and AC (if applicable) must certify the load transfer design. 

5. For Alternative Solution:

   • Submit the Schedule of Alternative Solutions Form BCA-BE-AS

6. For site investigation works:

   • Use the certification in Appendix A as shown on the first and last page of the report [PDF, 33.2 KB]

   • The document must be endorsed by a Professional Engineer

How to apply

You can submit via the CORENET e-Submission system.

CORENET 2.0:

• Corenet 2 Portal and ESPro (downloadable) are at https://www.corenet2-ess.gov.sg. CORENET 2.0 will eventually be replaced by CORENET X, which is mandatory for all new projects by 1 Oct 2026. Access Corenet X portal for details.

Guidelines:

• Refer to the Guidelines to Prepare Plans and Permit Applications.

Register for AC, ACO, and SAC

Download the latest lists of registered professionals:

• Registered Individual Accredited Checkers (AC) [PDF, 135 KB]

• Registered Accredited Checkers in an Accredited Checking Organisation (ACO) [PDF, 197 KB]

• Register of Specialist Accredited Checkers (Geotechnical Aspects) [PDF, 152 KB]