SMALL-scale economic activities in residential premises are permitted under Kuala Lumpur’s land-use planning framework.
Under the current planning regulations, applications for the temporary change of building use are allowed, subject to certain provisions, says Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud.
However, he said approval would only be given if applications fulfilled all technical requirements and had no public objections.
According to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) records, a total of 104 planning permission approvals were granted for temporary change-of-use applications for residential premises in 2025, with 29 such applications approved this year so far.
Fadlun said the city’s development planning framework was governed by the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 (PSKL2040) and Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (PTKL2040).
“Under the current planning regulations, applications for the temporary change of building use may be permitted, subject to the provisions under Volume 1, Part 3 of Classes of Use of Land and Buildings 2025 (CULB2025), part of PTKL2040,” he said in a written statement to StarMetro.
He was responding to questions over the growing use of residential properties for commercial activities and the impact this is having on surrounding residents.
Under CULB2025 guidelines, certain small-scale commercial activities, including general retail, offices and food-and-drink businesses, are allowed in residential properties, subject to conditions.
These include activities being limited to 10% of the residential property (for F&B), not cause a nuisance to surrounding residents, and requirements for dedicated access and unloading areas where applicable.
These businesses also need the permission of their neighbours to operate.
However, Fadlun said consideration of such applications were also subject to the implementation of Rule 3 under the Federal Territory (Planning) Rules (Application for Planning Permission) (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) 2025, which requires the views of nearby residents to be obtained.
