Statute Details
- Title: Parking Places (Exemption from Part 3) Order 2018
- Act Code: PPA1974-S283-2018
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Parking Places Act (Chapter 214)
- Enacting Authority: Minister for Transport
- Legal Basis: Powers under section 21 of the Parking Places Act
- Commencement: 8 May 2018
- SL Number: SL 283/2018
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key Provisions: Section 1 (Citation and commencement); Section 2 (Exemption)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Parking Places (Exemption from Part 3) Order 2018 is a short subsidiary legal instrument made under the Parking Places Act (Chapter 214). In plain terms, it creates a targeted exemption from certain regulatory requirements in Part 3 of the Act for a specific category of persons.
Parking regulation in Singapore is structured so that different “types” of parking-related activities may trigger licensing or compliance obligations under the Act. This Order does not overhaul the parking regime. Instead, it addresses a narrow compliance question: when a person only carries out a particular “licensable activity” described in section 8(3)(b) of the Act, that person is exempt from the obligations in Part 3 of the Act.
Practically, the Order is designed to avoid imposing Part 3 requirements on persons whose activities fall within a limited scope. This can be important where the regulatory burden in Part 3 is unnecessary or disproportionate for the particular activity being performed. The exemption is therefore conditional and activity-specific rather than a general waiver.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1: Citation and commencement provides the formal identification of the instrument and when it takes effect. The Order is cited as the “Parking Places (Exemption from Part 3) Order 2018” and comes into operation on 8 May 2018. This matters for practitioners because compliance obligations and enforcement actions typically depend on the effective date of the regulatory instrument.
Section 2: Exemption is the operative provision. It states that the Minister exempts from Part 3 of the Act a person who only carries out a licensable activity described in section 8(3)(b) of the Parking Places Act. The exemption is therefore:
- Conditional (it applies only if the person “only” carries out the specified activity);
- Activity-specific (tied to the definition of the licensable activity in section 8(3)(b)); and
- Limited in subject matter (it is an exemption from Part 3 of the Act, not from the entire Act).
Although the extract provided does not reproduce the text of section 8(3)(b) or Part 3 itself, the legal effect is clear: the exemption removes the need for the exempt person to comply with the Part 3 requirements, but only to the extent those requirements would otherwise apply to them. For a practitioner, the key interpretive task is to map the person’s actual activities to the statutory description in section 8(3)(b), and then determine which obligations in Part 3 would have been triggered absent the exemption.
“Only carries out” is a particularly important phrase. If a person carries out the specified licensable activity and also carries out other activities that fall within Part 3’s regulatory reach, the exemption may not apply. In other words, the exemption is not a partial exemption for mixed activity; it is framed as an exemption for a person whose activities are limited to the specified licensable activity. This can affect licensing strategy, operational structuring, and compliance risk assessment.
Finally, the Order is “made” on 7 May 2018 by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, acting for the Minister. While the making date is not the commencement date, it can be relevant for understanding the legislative timeline and for confirming that the instrument was properly executed.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is extremely concise and consists of:
- Enacting Formula: sets out the legal authority—powers conferred by section 21 of the Parking Places Act—and confirms that the Minister for Transport makes the Order.
- Section 1 (Citation and commencement): identifies the instrument and states it comes into operation on 8 May 2018.
- Section 2 (Exemption): provides the substantive exemption from Part 3 for persons limited to the licensable activity described in section 8(3)(b) of the Act.
There are no schedules, definitions, or detailed procedural provisions in the extract. The structure reflects the narrow purpose of the Order: to grant a specific exemption rather than to create a comprehensive regulatory framework.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to “a person”—a broad term that, in Singapore legislative drafting, typically includes individuals and legal entities—who only carries out a licensable activity described in section 8(3)(b) of the Parking Places Act.
Accordingly, the exemption is not universal. It is limited to persons whose activities fall squarely within the defined licensable activity category. Practitioners should therefore treat the Order as a fact-dependent compliance tool: the applicability turns on (1) what activities the person actually performs, and (2) whether those activities match the statutory description in section 8(3)(b).
Because the exemption is from Part 3 of the Act, persons may still be subject to other parts of the Parking Places Act (for example, provisions relating to licensing, general duties, enforcement, or other regulatory categories). The Order does not state that the person is exempt from the entire Act—only from Part 3.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Order is short, it can have significant practical impact for regulated entities and their counsel. In parking-related regulatory regimes, the difference between being subject to one part of an Act versus another can determine whether a person must obtain a licence, meet operational conditions, comply with reporting requirements, or face enforcement consequences for non-compliance.
The exemption’s importance lies in its targeted relief. By exempting persons who only carry out a specific licensable activity, the Minister effectively calibrates regulation to the actual risk or regulatory need associated with that activity. This can reduce unnecessary compliance costs and administrative burden, while still preserving the broader regulatory framework for other activities.
From an enforcement and litigation perspective, the exemption also affects liability analysis. If a regulator alleges a breach of Part 3 requirements, the exempt person can rely on this Order as a statutory defence—provided the factual predicate is satisfied (i.e., the person only carries out the activity described in section 8(3)(b)). Conversely, if the person’s activities extend beyond that scope, the exemption may not protect them, and counsel should be prepared to argue either (a) that the activities still fall within the statutory category, or (b) that the relevant Part 3 obligations do not apply in the first place.
For practitioners advising clients, the Order therefore functions as a compliance “gatekeeper” document. It should be reviewed alongside the Parking Places Act—particularly section 8(3)(b) and the provisions in Part 3—to determine the precise regulatory obligations that apply to the client’s business model.
Related Legislation
- Parking Places Act (Chapter 214) (including section 21 (authorising power), section 8(3)(b) (licensable activity description), and Part 3 (the provisions from which the exemption is granted))
- Parking Places Act – Legislation Timeline / Amendments (to confirm the correct version of the Act and the interaction with this Order)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Parking Places (Exemption from Part 3) Order 2018 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.