Plan approval can take anywhere from 3 months to a year depending on site restrictions, for example if your building is over a building line, if you need a special consent application, or if the building is over 60 years old (original build, not since the last alteration).
How long does it take to get plans approved in Joburg?
Plan approval can take anywhere from 3 months to a year without any unusual restrictions.
What kind of municipal restrictions are there?
- You can have a coverage restriction where you are limited to 50% coverage, and some can be as little as 30%. Obtain your zoning info from your local municipality to find out, or contact us.
- You can have an electrical servitude (cannot be removed).
- You could have a sewer servitude (cannot be removed).
- Building line restrictions are in the zoning info as well.
- Amendment scheme restrictions can vary, like building lines, coverage, getting homeowner signatures or township approvals.
- Thatch will trigger Fire Department approval as well as Nu-Tec boarding.
Does a tool shed require approval?
Municipal approval for a tool shed depends on its size, construction and location on the property. Approval is generally required for sheds that are permanent structures, too close to boundaries, or have plumbing or electrical connections, as well as those affecting stormwater or fire safety. In Johannesburg any structure deemed a “building”, including most sheds, typically requires building plan approval unless otherwise stated in writing by the municipality.
How can I get my house plans from the municipality?
You must go to the municipality office in Newtown to submit your request for house plans by filling out an application form. After processing your request, the municipality will contact you via email or phone. You will then need to return to pay for the plans. Once paid, you can collect the plans yourself, or provide a copy of your ID, rates and taxes account and a letter from the owner to a runner who will collect them for you. See our house plan retrieval service.
How can I get my building plans approved by the municipality?
You need to submit your plans online. Registered professionals typically submit these plans on behalf of a homeowner. The appointed professional prepares all the required drawings and documents, uploads them and manages any comments or corrections the municipality requests. Once the review process is complete and the plans are approved, the municipality notifies the applicant, who then pays the required fees and receives the approved, stamped building plans.
City of Johannesburg building plan approval
You will need to submit your plans online, and they need to be signed off by the architect, engineer and the client/s. All forms then need to be filled in, and then you upload all documentation online. See our building plan submissions service.
How to get house plans from Ekurhuleni municipality?
To get house plans from the Ekurhuleni Municipality, you need to visit the municipal offices in person and take along your most recent rates and taxes account as well as a copy of your ID. Once there, you will apply for the plans, and the municipality will process your request and let you know when the documents are ready.
How to get house plans from the municipality in PDF?
You would normally get hard copies from the municipality. If you want them in PDF, you will need to take everything you got from them and have it scanned at a print shop or scanning service to convert it into PDF files.
Building plan submission fees at Joburg
Building plan submission fees are generally calculated at R26 per square metre, with a minimum fee of R982 for smaller projects. Additional fees apply depending on the type of application: pool plan drawings cost R500, a building line relaxation costs R706 and submitting an SDP (Site Development Plan) costs R1 240. These fees may vary slightly by municipality, but this is the standard structure at Joburg.
City of Johannesburg building inspectors
In Johannesburg, building inspections are managed by the City’s Building Development Management unit, with inspectors responsible for ensuring compliance with approved building plans, issuing occupancy certificates and enforcing building regulations. The inspectors operate regionally, visiting construction sites to check that structures are being built according to approved plans and municipal bylaws. They also coordinate with other departments where necessary, such as fire, water and roads, to ensure all aspects of a development meet regulatory requirements. While small or minor works may require minimal oversight, most new constructions, additions or structural alterations must undergo formal inspections before the municipality grants final approval or occupancy clearance.
City of Johannesburg building plan approval contact details
You will need to go to the Newtown office to access your approved plans and submit any applications you need to handle there.
What must I prepare before submitting a building line relaxation request to council?
You need to ensure all the required documents are in order before submitting. This includes your building plans, the correct forms, a signed power of attorney, your zoning, the SG diagram, sewer servitude details and copies of previous plans. Once you submit the application to council, it must be circulated to various departments for comments and clearance, and some of these may require you to take documents to external places such as Roads, Water or other relevant municipal departments before final approval can be granted.
