Where's my building plan application? Keep track of your building plans online. Click here
Building plans application forms Download the three forms below for building applications. Print them out and fill them in, then submit them to the Development Planning Department counter on the ground floor of the Metro Centre in Braamfontein.
Who has to submit building plans? The short answer is everyone. Any new building and any alteration that adds on to or changes the structure of an existing building must go to the City's (Planning) Development Management Department for approval.
If you redecorate your kitchen, or replaster your house, you don't need permission, because you haven't moved any walls around or altered the drainage system.
But if you make a change to the structure, for example, add on a carport, or even just move the front door, you do need permission. When you submit a building plan for approval it is essential that you make sure that you have complied with the zoning regulations of the Town Planning Scheme.
What if someone fails to submit a plan? If you've chosen to build without having the plans approved, a building inspector is entitled to enter your property and order construction to stop immediately. He could even obtain a court order for the structure to be demolished, at your expense, and you would be liable for legal costs as well. In serious cases, you could be fined or sent to prison.
What if no building inspector notices your illegal alterations? They could come back to haunt you years later - when you try to sell the house and the prospective buyer asks to see approved plans.
Where can I get an application form? You can get application forms online (see box on right) or from the building plan submission counters on the ground floor of the Metro Centre, 158 Loveday Street, Braamfontein, between 8am and 3pm.
How do I submit the plan? You submit the completed forms, together with the building plans and supporting documentation to the same counter on the ground floor of the Metro Centre, 158 Loveday Street, Braamfontein, between 8am and 3pm.
What does the council need from me before it considers my plan? The council needs a completed application form, signed by the owner of the property or his/her authorised representative (proof of authorisation is required) together with a copy of the registered title deed.
The title deed can be obtained either from the attorneys who handled the transfer of the property, the financial institution that granted a first mortgage bond over the property, or the Deeds Office.
Where an application for approval is submitted by a company or an organisation such as a school or a church, a letter must be provided by the organisation authorising one person to sign the application form.
A copy of the approved Site Development Plan is also needed, if this is required in terms of the zoning regulations that apply to the stand.
A separate form also needs to be completed by a professional engineer or technologist registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa when structural work such as reinforced concrete floor and roof slabs, special reinforced foundations, and so forth are part of the proposed building.
Different certificates or designs need to be submitted depending on the technical aspects of the plan. You should consult an architect or engineer in this regard.
In the case of non-residential developments (for example, offices, factories, shops, institutional buildings and so on), a zoning certificate with a copy of the most recent Amendment Scheme is to be furnished.
How much does it cost to submit an application? Fees are calculated by the building control counter staff when you submit an application. A standardised set of tariffs applies when calculating the fee payable. Fees can be paid at the adjacent cashier, either by cash or by cheque.
Tariff of charges: The National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act (No 103 of 1977) To consider applications made in terms of Section 4 (1) of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, the charges are as follows: In terms of sections 17(3)(a)(ii) and 22 (a) (i) and (ii) of the Local Government : Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act 56 of 2003) and Sections 21(1) and (3), 21A and 75A (3) and (4) of the Local Government : Municipal Systems Act , 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) as amended, it is hereby notified that the City of Johannesburg has in terms of Sections 11(3)9i) and 75A(1) and (2) of the Local Government : Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) as amended , read with section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act 56 of 2003), amended its tariff of charges in respect of the following with effect from 1 July 2010.
The following charges will be effective from 1 July 2010
1. To consider applications made in terms of Section 4 (1) of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977, the proposed charges are as follows:
1.1 R11 per square metre or part thereof of the first 1000m2 of building work. 1.2 R10 per square metre or part thereof of the second 1000m2 of building work . 1.3 R8 per square metre or part thereof for the balance greater than 2000m2 of building work. 1.4 0,30 percent of the value of building work for alterations to existing buildings and buildings of a special character such as factory chimneys, spires and similar structures. 1.5 A fee of R285 for a new dwelling house of 50m2 or less in area. 1.6 In the case of mass-contracted low cost housing projects funded by means of national Housing capital subsidies , a fee of R161 per master plan and R39 per ERF on which the master plan is repeated . 1.7 The minimum wage in respect of any building plan, other than contemplated in 1.5 and 1.6 shall be R453. 1.8 Portion of buildings projection over council owned land: (a) Areas of 10m2 and less R448 (b) Areas in excess of 10m2, R447 plus R10m2 or part thereof The above charges are in addition to normal plan submission fees 2. To authorise minor building work in terms of Section 13 of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 1977, a charge of R199 3. To authorise the erection of a temporary building in terms of regulations A23(1) a fee of 199 4. To permit the use of a street by a person undertaking any work of erection or demolition in terms of regulation F1(4) ,a fee of R10 per m2 for every week or part thereof with a minimum fee of R199.
What do I require before calling to enquire about my building plan application? Always have the erf number and township description at hand when making enquiries.
Has a building plan been submitted to the council? 011 407 6217 011 407 6058
What is the status of a building plan application in the system? 011 407 6217 011 407 6061
National Building Regulations (NBR) - building plan administration
This unit is responsible for the registration, circulation and archiving of building plan application Contact person: Manager: building plan administration Sanjay Khadua Tel: 011 407 6106 Fax: 011 403 2492 E-mail:
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National Building Regulations (NBR) - building inspectorate
This unit is responsible for the inspection of building work in progress. It takes into account the three statutory inspections that are prescribed in terms of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act.
The majority of the building inspectors are based in regional offices to be closer to the sites that are to be inspected.
Contact persons: Contact details given below are therefore those of the chief building inspectors in the various regions.
Region A Midrand, Ivory Park, Halfway Gardens, Erand, Diepsloot, Dainfern, Buccleucch Lanseria, far northern areas. Chief Building Inspector Pierre le Roux Tel: 011 237 8046 Cell: 082 559 3700 Fax: 011 314 1462
Region B Randburg, Florida Hills, Claremont, Northcliff, Fairland and Johannesburg north western suburbs. Chief Building Inspector Paul Cilliers Tel: 011 761 0472 Cell: 082 491 6014 Fax: 011 472 3483
Region C Roodepoort, Honeydew, Boksruin, Allensnek and Zandspruit. Chief Building Inspector Billy Posthumus Tel: 011 761 0312 Cell: 082 559 3701 Fax: 011 472 2544
Cosmo City Chief building inspector Joseph Mhlanga 011 761 0313 082 559 3731
Region D Soweto, Zola, Protea, Orlando West, Naledi , Jabulani and Dobsonville. Chief Building Inspector James More Tel: 011 986 0046 Cell: 082 559 3732 Fax: 011 986 0046
Eldorado Park, Diepkloof, Devland, Kliptown, Meadowlands, Naturena, Orlando East and Power Park. Chief Building Inspector Abey Khanye Tel: 011 342 1264 Cell: 082 559 3729 Fax: 011 342 1264
Region E Sandton, Rosebank, Atholl, Birnam, Bryanston, Craighall, Melrose, Morningside and Orange Grove and north eastern suburbs. Chief Building Inspector Albert van der Walt Tel: 011 582 1572 Cell: 082 559 3730 Fax: 011 582 1633
Region F Johannesburg inner City, Yeoville, Braamfontein, Berea, Bertrams , Crown Mines, Fordsburg, Park Town, Kensington, Observatory and Troyeville. Chief building inspector Richard Hadebe Tel: 011 376 8659 Cell: 082 559 3734 Fax: 011 376 8673
Chris Baragwanath , Cleveland, City Deep, Ormonde, Glen Vista, Kibler Park, Malvern, Oakdene, Rossentivile , Turffontein, Winchester Hill and Bassonia. Chief Building Inspector Collin Oates 011 376 8660; 082 559 3705
Region G Ennerdale, Lenasia, Driziek, Finetown, Lauley, Nancefield, Orange Farm and Zakariyya Park Chief building inspector. Sydney Shai Tel: 011 211 8914 Cell: 083 262 1920 Fax: 011 211 8908
Outdoor advertising
This unit is responsible for the assessment and approval of applications for outdoor advertising signage, as well as the assessment and approval of applications for the erection of cellphone masts.
A SPICED city is one that is pleasant to live in, with plenty of open public space, bicycles and pedestrians, and crucially, fewer cars clogging up the roads.
