Do You Need a Licence to Sell Home Bakes in Singapore?

Last updated on May 5, 2026

You might have a hobby in baking at home, and this passion may potentially turn into a side business as a supplementary source of income. If so, are you required to apply for a licence?

Well, the simple answer is: you do not!

This applies whether you are living in an HDB flat, or a private residence. However, there are two layers of guidelines that you should follow if you wish to pursue a small-scale, home-based baking business. The first relates to Home-Based Business Scheme guidelines, and the second relates to food business-specific guidelines given by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).

Home-Based Business Scheme Guidelines in Singapore

Although a licence is not required to run a small-scale baking business from home, you need to register your business if you carry out profit-making activity regularly. For more information, refer to our article on registering a business in Singapore. An exception is if you only operate using your full NRIC name with no other business name.

The Housing & Development Board (HDB) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) oversee the Home-Based Business Scheme, which allows home owners to carry out small-scale businesses (such as baking businesses) from home. This scheme was previously known as the Home-Based Small Scale Business Scheme.

Some of the guidelines in the Home-Based Business Scheme that you should follow are:

1. Only the residents of the property can work in it

The home business must be operated by the individuals living in that residence, such as the owners and registered occupants. Tenants may operate the business provided that they have the owners’ consent to do so.

People not living in the property cannot be hired as employees to work in the residence. Neither can owners allow third-parties to run a business from their residence.

That said, if you require an extra helping hand from time to time, it is perfectly fine for your friends and family to help you by purchasing your ingredients, mixing or preparing them or even attending to the oven. You may pay them a small sum for their efforts if you wish to, but the payments should not be treated as a form of salary (especially in relation to your friends). No one may earn a salary off your home-based business apart from residents of the property.

2. Be considerate to your neighbours

While baking, you must be considerate of your surroundings. There should not be any excessive noise, smoke, or smells that might pose a nuisance to your neighbours.

3. No use of industrial equipment

You are limited to using equipment intended for domestic use. In other words, you cannot use industrial-grade heavy equipment or appliances for your home business.

4. No large-scale storage or loading/unloading of goods

You are not allowed to store large quantities of goods, or engage in frequent loading/unloading of such goods, which implies that you are not allowed to produce your baked goods in too much bulk.

In particular, your property should not be used as a distribution centre.

For delivery purposes, try transporting your baked goods via car or public transport instead. However, only small quantities of food can be transported at any point of time.

Remember that under the Home-Based Business Scheme, the sale of your food is strictly meant to supplement your income instead of being your main source of income.

5. No putting up of signboards or posters at the property

From the outside of your property, it should not be obvious that you are running a business from it.

However, you are allowed to promote your baked goods on social media or other online platforms.

Food Health and Safety Standards

Even though home-based bakers are not required to apply for a licence to sell their baked goods, there are restrictions to their activities.

1. Must not offer food catering

Given the scale of operations requires for food catering services, home-based food businesses are not a suitable fit and may pose food safety risks.

2. Should not sell food to food retailers

Food retailers such as hawkers stalls and restaurants are licensed by the SFA and can only sell food prepared on their licensed premises or other licensed premises. They are not allowed to obtain food from home-based businesses.

3. Should not sell food at/to temporary fairs

You are not allowed to prepare food at home to sell at temporary fairs. Stall holders at temporary fairs can only sell food that is legally imported, prepared at the licensed temporary food stall, or sourced from other licensed establishments.

4. Prohibited from selling ready-to-eat raw seafood (though that might not be relevant to bakers)

As raw seafood is considered to be high-risk food, it requires proper facilities to avoid contamination.

5. Must ensure all ingredients are legally sourced

You can only use ingredients that are legally imported or sourced from licensed manufacturers and suppliers. If needed, you can import the food yourself and here is a guide for doing so.

6. Comply with food laws

You need to ensure that you comply with food laws and ensure that the food you sell is safe for consumption. You are encouraged to attend a WSQ Food Safety Course and follow the food hygiene guidelines issued by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).

SFA’s food hygiene guidelines cover:

Personal Hygiene

Bacteria and other forms of micro-organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye can be found on our hands, and they can be transmitted easily onto the food that you handle. To reduce the likelihood of an illness or a stomach-ache, you must wash your hands thoroughly with soap, before and after the food preparation process.

Additionally, wash your hands again should you visit the toilet halfway through preparation, or after handling waste products.

For extra precaution, you can wear gloves during the preparation process and the handling of the finished baked goods. Also, do not handle and bake food when you are feeling unwell or sick.

Kitchen Hygiene

Your kitchen must be kept clean and hygienic. All food preparation surfaces and equipment, such as bowls, mixers, ovens, spoons and cups, should be cleaned and sanitised regularly, before and after every session in the kitchen.

This reduces the chance of contamination, and the attraction of unwanted household pests such as flies, cockroaches and rats. These pests carry harmful bacteria and dirt which can cause serious food-related illnesses.

Be wary of brushing off crumbs off the table, and sweep anything that hits the floor. If you have pets and children, refrain from allowing them to enter the kitchen whilst you are preparing food.

Food Safety

Whilst choosing ingredients for your baked goods, be sure to obtain ingredients from approved sources (including approved countries of import).

Also, check that the ingredients have not passed their expiry dates.

Finally, persons who help handle and prepare food are encouraged to attend the Food Safety Course Level 1.

Storage Safety

Store your ingredients at the right temperature, and in the right places. Your refrigerator must be kept clean and food items should be stored in a proper manner. For example, raw food items should not be placed on top of cooked food.

Harmful diseases such as salmonella and E. coli may become prominent in your refrigerator if raw foods are not stored properly. These diseases can cause diarrhoea, fever and vomiting.

Going Public With Your Business

If the demand for your baked goods increases and you wish to increase sales, you might have to go beyond the scope of the Home-Based Business Scheme.

For example, instead of purchasing the ingredients yourself, you might require a supplier. You might need a larger delivery vehicle, or the assistance of extra staff. Finally, you might also need an area where customers can purchase and consume your food.

If you choose to go beyond the scheme, you will need to obtain a Food Shop Licence. To obtain this licence, you are required to submit planning permission approval from either the URA or HDB, and documents such as a tenancy agreement.

Apart from this, you will have to comply with the Code of Practice on Environmental Health when renovating your premises, and you and your staff will need to obtain food hygiene certificates.

For more information, check out our article on the legal requirements to open a restaurant in Singapore.

Incorporating and operating a business is expensive. Therefore, you should be sure to do so only if you have the funds, along with a reasonable prospect of success. Important considerations include the costs and location of premises, operating costs and the level of commitment that you are willing to put in. Starting a full-fledged business is a huge leap compared to a home-based one that is governed under the Home-Based Business Scheme.

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