Huh, This Also Illegal? 60 SG Laws You Might Not Have Heard Of

When you think of Singapore laws, anything to do with chewing gum and fines for littering probably come to mind. But there's a whole bunch of lesser-known rules – from oddly specific home decor restrictions to quirky public-behaviour regulations – that truly make this a "fine" city.

To celebrate Singapore's 60th, here are 60 obscure laws that will make you see our island nation in a whole new light.

🚷 Public behaviour and conduct

1. No nudity at home or in your own vehicle if you’re visible to the public.

2. Kite flying is forbidden within 5km of any aerodrome, like airports and our military airbases.

IMAGE: PEXELS

3. E-cigarettes are banned.

4. Failing to flush a public toilet after use can result in a fine.

5. Any obscene acts in public places such as singing, reciting, or uttering obscene words that annoy others are punishable.

6. If you are found guilty of abetting suicide (i.e. aiding another in attempting suicide), it is a punishable offence. This is especially so if such an abettor is motivated by malicious intentions.

🚇 Transport and commuting

7. Taxis must issue receipts upon request.

IMAGE: CANVA

8. Honking excessively is considered public nuisance.

9. You should not sound your horn near a hospital, except in an emergency.

10. If using your own bicycle for doing food delivery, your bicycle needs to comply with the LTA's Active Mobility Act (AMA) regulations. This includes having a functioning handbrake, adhering to maximum width and length limits on public paths, and being equipped with lights for nighttime riding.

11. No exchanging of parcels in MRT stations.

12. No boarding the MRT train if it is full.

13. It’s illegal to be drunk in the MRT station.

14. No drinking on MRT trains, even if it is just plain water.

15. Staying over two hours inside an MRT station is a fineable offence.

16. Just finished a muddy game with your football kaki and heading home, filthy? You might be denied entry into an MRT station because, according to the Rapid Transit Systems Regulations, "No person who is in an unfit or improper condition to travel by passenger train, or whose dress or clothing is in a condition liable to soil or damage the railway premises or the dress or clothing of any passenger or to injure any passenger, shall enter or remain on the railway premises."

💻 Tech and the internet

17. Filming someone without consent in private spaces is prohibited.

IMAGE: CANVA

18. Spreading fake news intentionally is illegal.

19. Unauthorised hacking, even for “testing,” is criminal.

20. Buying or owning two-way radios (even toys with decent range) requires a permit from IMDA, as they're classified under telecommunication equipment.

🐗 Environment and animals

21. Feeding wild animals is illegal.

22. Releasing animals into the wild is a crime.

IMAGE: CANVA

23. Keeping exotic animals (even an adorable – to some – capybara) as pets is illegal.

24. Fogging mosquitoes without proper licence is prohibited.

25. Setting off fireworks or firecrackers without approval is banned.

26. Allowing your pet to damage any tree or plant is against the law.

IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@WAGGINGPAWS

27. It is illegal to walk dogs without a leash in public places.

💼 Commerce and business practices

28. Operating a pyramid scheme is illegal.

29. False advertising is a punishable offence.

30. Offering food catering as a home-based business is illegal.

31. Faking “discounted” prices is not allowed.

32. Ads in public spaces need approval.

🏠 Family, social and housing

33. If a parent or caregiver leaves a child under the age of 12 somewhere with the intention of completely abandoning them, it is a punishable offence.

IMAGE: CANVA

34. Adult children must support their elderly parents (aged 60 and above who are unable to subsist on their own) by law.

35. Subletting your flat without permission is not allowed.

36. Hanging flags or banners from HDB units must follow rules.

37. Domestic workers are not allowed to perform duties outside of domestic chores, such as car washing, gardening, and tutoring.

38. Domestic workers are not allowed to clean houses apart from the one they live in.

39. Hanging wet, dripping laundry outside your HDB can lead to fines.

40. Smoking outside of your HDB flat, including common areas like the void deck, staircase and corridors is illegal.

41. You cannot install CCTVs outside your flat, unless you have written approval from your town council.

42. You cannot add extra levels to your HDB flat.

43. You cannot alter or redesign your HDB's bomb shelter’s reinforced walls and floors, ceiling or steel door.

IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@MERAKIZ RENOVATION CONTRACTOR

44. No renovations allowed on weekends or after 5pm on weekdays. Hardcore work like excessive drilling and demolishing of walls can only be done from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.

45. You cannot build a fish tank that weighs more than 600kg per room.

46. If you own a three-room flat, you cannot rent out more than one bedroom. And only “proper” original bedrooms that were built as part of your flat can be rented out.

47. You cannot have more than six people living in a HDB flat; this applies only to tenants to prevent overcrowding and turning residences into squatters.

48. Tenants must rent your flat or room for at least six months.

49. Home-based private tutors cannot hold lessons involving more than three students at one time.

50. You can’t run a home-based business if it involves the following:

• Causes nuisance to your neighbours or affects their living environment (which can mean a lot of things, depending on your neighbourly relations) so nothing that results in noise, smoke, odour, dust, litter, high human and vehicle traffic.
• Uses heavy equipment that is not intended for domestic use.
• Requires additional staff other than you, you and you.
• Requires storage or movement of goods.
• Massage services. But you can offer hairstyling, facials and nail services.

IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@PUB, SINGAPORE'S NATIONAL WATER AGENCY

51. Generally, harvested rainwater is only allowed for non-potable use.

52. A marriage of convenience is illegal.

53. Every baby born in Singapore must be registered within 42 days from the date of birth. Registration costs S$18 per child, and the child will be issued with a digital birth certificate.

54. It is an offence for any person responsible for reporting a deceased person’s death to not report the death as soon as practicable.

55. Failing to report a change of residential address in Singapore within 28 days of moving is a punishable offence. This is a requirement for all identity card holders.

🇸🇬 Religion, national symbols and heritage

56. Religious gatherings in public need permits.

57. Selling religious items door-to-door requires approval.

Back in 2023, imitation passport covers designed to look like the Singapore passport could be found on Taobao. They were later taken down by the platform after MCCY intervened. | IMAGE: REDDIT/@TWISTYCATLYMAN

58. Misusing national symbols like the flag or anthem is banned. Selling imitation national emblems in Singapore is generally prohibited without proper authorisation. The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) has stated that the sale of any object bearing the national coat of arms (state crest) is forbidden without authorisation. This includes items like passport covers that resemble the national symbols.

59. Wearing official uniforms (like those from the Singapore Police Force or Singapore Armed Forces) without authorisation is illegal.

60. It's illegal to pretend or profess to be a fortune teller, according to the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act.

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