The informal sector is an important part of Cape Town’s economy, and produces about 12% of its economic output in. It also employs 18% of people who economically active. The LAED Branch has assisted this sector through, for example, a city-wide informal trading policy, which spells out where trading should and should not take place, the types of trading that can be promoted, suitable operating hours and the obligations and responsibilities of stakeholders.

Trading areas are continually being demarcated to ensure that informal traders have security of tenure, and that public spaces are well managed.

Informal trading markets have been built in Nyanga, Guguletu, Philippi, Ntlangano, iSithandathu, Hanover Park and Lentegeur, and the LAED branch has established a framework to manage these markets.

How to apply for an informal trading permit
If you would like to trade at one of the City’s informal trading markets, you need to apply for an informal trading permit.

A permit will be granted depending on a number of criteria. For example, only bona fide informal traders will be eligible (in other words, you may not already have a “real” shop elsewhere); traders who operate for at least 45 weeks of the year will get preference over casual traders, and unemployed people will get first preference.

For more information, download the City’s Informal Trading Policy and Management Framework or the application for an informal trading permit (PDF, 29kb).

For the application to occupy a temporary site for the traders affected at the Green Point informal trading market site, complete the temporary site application form (PDF, 26k).


To send your informal trading application, please contact:
Emlyn Hammond
Tel: 021 021 400 5942 or
E-mail: Emlyn.hammond@capetown.gov.za