Yes, it's actually legal to start a Home Cafe or Bakery in HDBs

Want to sell your strawberry matcha online? Or maybe your family's secret sambal recipe has friends saying "you should sell this!". Good news - you absolutely can turn your home cooking, bakes and drinks into a legitimate business in Singapore. And no, you don't need expensive licenses or commercial kitchen equipment to get started.

The rules are simpler than you think

I've talked with dozens of home cafe owners who worried they were operating in some legal gray area. They're not - and it's actually not that difficult to navigate through the rules.

Here's the straightforward truth: Small-scale home food businesses are completely legal in Singapore. You don't need a special license from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) as long as you keep things simple and follow basic food safety practices.

What's allowed in your home kitchen business

Your home can be your business headquarters, your kitchen, and your cafe but there are some clear boundaries and golden rules to respect.

You can definitely:

• Make drinks, cook and bake at home for direct sale to customers

• Take orders online and arrange delivery or pickup

• Use your regular kitchen equipment

• Run your business as a resident of your property

However, there are important boundaries to respect. You shouldn't offer catering services with buffet lines or sell to restaurants and hawker stalls. There are also restrictions on selling high-risk items like raw seafood dishes, hiring outside employees to work in your kitchen (you can just bring your unpaid friends to help you out), or putting up business signs outside your home. It's just these simple rules that you've got to follow to avoid any legal issues!

Food safety without the fuss

The SFA cares about one thing above all: keeping people safe. The regulations and laws out there aren't here to stop you, just because - they're all about food safety. As long you can stick to it, and keep everyone that consumes your food or drinks safe - you're in the clear!

To make it simple and clear, here are some things that the acuppa team recommends:

• Taking the WSQ Food Safety Course Level 1

• Maintaining proper hygiene and clean preparation areas

• Storing ingredients and prepared food at safe temperatures

• Using only legally sourced ingredients from proper suppliers

These aren't complicated demands - they're basically what any good cook does anyway. The regulations just formalize food safety, and keeping everyone alive after they consume your food.

Keeping peace in the neighborhood

The other government body that you've got to take note is the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). The URA asks something pretty reasonable: keep your place looking and feeling like a home, not a bustling market. Don't disturb your neighbors with excessive noise or smells, skip the flashy business signs outside, and avoid bringing in industrial equipment. Your living space shouldn't transform into a a factory, - it's still your home first.

Getting started is easier than you think

If you're ready to turn your passion into some side income, you don't need much to begin. Make sure you're actually living in the place (owners or tenants with permission can run home businesses), set up a clean space in your kitchen, find reliable suppliers, and start planning how you'll handle orders. From there, it's just about letting people know about your delicious offerings - and all you've got to do is to list on acuppa.app and you're good to go!

Why start your Home Cafe, Home Kitchen or Home Bakery

These sensible rules create a win for everyone involved. You can start without massive upfront costs. Your customers get authentic, home-cooked food with personal attention. Your neighborhood gains more character and flavor. And the authorities ensure basic safety without crushing your start up spirit.

Singapore's approach strikes a rare balance – encouraging food entrepreneurship while maintaining reasonable standards. As long as you keep things modest, focus on direct sales, and handle food safely, you're free to build something special from your kitchen.

At acuppa.app, we're building a community where home cooks can connect with hungry neighbors. The regulations make it possible – your talent and passion make it delicious.

While we've done our homework on the regulations for home-based food businesses in Singapore, rules can change. When in doubt, check with the relevant authorities for the most current requirements.

For more information; please give SFA & URA's regulations a read! They might just come in handy.