Who has to submit building plans?
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 re plaster your house, you don't need any 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.

JOHANNESBURG
Where can I get an application form?
You can get application forms online by clicking here and click on the Online Forms button. or from the Building Plan Submission Counters on the ground floor of the Metro Centre, 158 Loveday Street, Braamfontein, between 08h00 and 15h00.

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.

What does the Council need from me before it considers my plan?

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 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, if this 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, etc. 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 Engineering Professional in this regard. In the case of non-residential developments (e.g. offices, factories, shops, institutional buildings etc.) 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 cheque (no credit card facility).

 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: AN EXAMPLE 1.1 R 8.60 per m2 or part thereof for the 1 000 m2 of building work. 1.2 R 7.30 per m2 of part thereof for the second 1 000 m2 of building work. 1.3 R 6.15 per m2 or part thereof for the balance greater than 2 000 m2 of building work. 1.4 0,30% of the value of building work for alterations to existing buildings or buildings of a special character such as factory chimneys, spires or similar structures. 1.5 A fee of R 205.00 for a new dwelling house of 50 m2 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 R 115 per master plan and R 28 per erf on which the master plan is repeated. 1.7 The minimum charge in respect of any building plan, other than contemplated in 1.5 and 1.6, shall be R 325.00. 1.8 Portion of buildings projecting over Council owned land (these charges are in addition to normal plan submission fees): (a) Areas of 10 m2 and less R 320.00 (b) Areas in excess of 10 m2, R 320.00, plus R 7.35 per m2 or part thereof. To authorise minor building work in terms of Section 13 of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977, a charge of R 140.00. To authorise the erection of a temporary building in terms of Regulation A23(1) a fee of R 140.00. 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 R 7.30 per m2 for every week or part thereof, with a minimum fee of R 140.00. To authorise a permit for the demolition of a building R 407.00. To authorise a permit for excavations R 407.00. To authorise a permit for encroaching over Council owned land for the purpose of building operations R 407.00. Approval of cellular phone structures and masts R 500.00.

Who can I speak to about my building plan application?
Always have the erf number and township description at hand when making inquiries.

- Has a building plan been submitted to the Council?

Stella Maluleke 407 6217 Letisha shingler 407 6052

What is the status of a building plan application in the system?

Stella Maluleke 407 6217 Council Mabena 407 6061

My building plan has been approved, is it ready for collection?

Thembi Mgiba 407 6194 (Randburg/Soweto/Sandton) Sam Mangemardho 407 6085 (Roodepoort/South/Midrand)

My plans have been submitted but require corrections prior to consideration for approval.

Stella Maluleke 407 6217 Nokwazi Sibaya 407 6217

I need copies of existing approved building plans

Records Section (Help Line) 407 6103/6034