Skip to content

Search

Menu

 

 

Apply for an informal trading permitApply for an informal trading permit<img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20Connect%20Header%20Image.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /><div class="ExternalClassDB99998A8B1849288628FB1F1B17B195"><p>​If you would like to trade goods informally in public spaces in Cape Town, you must apply for an informal trading permit. Anyone who is unemployed and legally allowed to live in South Africa qualifies for a permit. <br></p></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Application criteria<br></h2><p>We open applications for informal trading bays regularly and anyone who qualifies can apply. Applications are then scored and the highest scoring applicant is issued the permit.<br></p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact">​​</i></div><div class="desc"><h4>Frequently Asked Questions​</h4><p>Download our Informal Trading FAQs: <br> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Informal_Trading_FAQs.pdf" target="_blank">English</a> | <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Informal_Trading_FAQs_Afrikaans.pdf" target="_blank">Afrikaans</a> | <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Informal_Trading_FAQs_Xhosa.pdf">isiXhosa</a> </p></div></div></span> <h4>In order to qualify, you must be: </h4><ul><li>an informal trader<br></li><li>unemployed </li><li>in good standing with the City of Cape Town<br></li></ul><p>If you are a foreign national, you will need to provide certified proof of your legal status to live and run your own business in South Africa. </p><p>If you are planning on selling or hawking food, then you will need to apply for a <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Business-and-trade/Apply-for-a-business-licence/Apply%20for%20a%20business%20licence">hawking business trading licence</a> as well as a <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Business-and-trade/Apply-for-a-certificate-of-acceptability/Apply%20for%20a%20certificate%20of%20acceptability">certificate of acceptability</a>. </p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​How to apply</h2> <p> <strong>Step 1:</strong> Before you can apply, you must <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Register/eservices-and-municipal-accounts/Register-for-a-municipal-account/Register%20for%20a%20municipal%20account">register for e-services</a>. </p> <p> <strong>Step 2:</strong> Once you have registered, you must activate the Informal Trading Bay service. <br><br>To activate the service, you will need: </p> <ul><li>your ID number; </li><li>your business partner number (which is found on your municipal account bill); </li><li>a digital copy of your ID (scanned document); and</li><li>your own email address.</li></ul> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note">​​​</i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p> A work permit is not accepted as a valid form of identification. If you are a foreign national, you will need to upload a copy of your passport or your asylum seeker/refugee permit. </p></div></div> </span> <p>Once you have applied to activate the service, it will take a few days to verify your information. Once that is complete, you will be granted access.</p> <p> <strong>Step 3:</strong> Once you are able to access the service, you can apply for an available trading bay. </p> <span> <div class="lrg-icon-content bordered"><div class="lrg-icon lrg-check"><p> <b>​​​​​​Supporting documentation you will need:</b> </p><ul><li>a certified copy of official identification document (SA ID/passport and residence permit)</li><li>proof of address</li><li>affidavit of unemployment</li><li>photograph of yourself</li></ul></div></div> </span> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note">​​​</i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>Foreign nationals will need to upload one of the following documents as official identification: <br> <br>- a certified copy of your passport with your residence permit; OR<br></p><p>- a certified copy of your asylum seeker/refugee permit. </p><p> <br> </p><p><strong>Make sure that your passport, residence permit and asylum seeker/refugee permit is still valid. </strong> <br></p></div></div></span> <p>Please provide as much detail about your trade as possible, as well as whether you will be able to meet the required number of trading hours, etc.</p> <p> <strong>Step 4:</strong> Complete the application questionnaire, upload the necessary documents and complete the disclaimer information. You can contact the District Coordinator Office (contact details at the end of this page) should you need assistance with completing the application online. </p> <p>After the closing date for applications, the system will preselect an applicant based on the highest score and that applicant will receive an SMS with instructions to contact the District Area Coordinator (DAC)and schedule an informal trading screening interview. </p> <p> <strong>Step 5:</strong> The DAC will conduct screening interview and, when done, submit an application for approval </p> <p> <strong>Step 6:</strong> If approved, you will receive confirmation of this, and will be allocated an informal trading bay according to the approved trading plan. </p> <p> <strong>Step 7:</strong> You are required to pay the informal trading permit fee. Once you complete all the above steps, you will be issued with an informal trading permit. </p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i>  </div><div class="desc"><h4>PLEASE NOTE</h4><p> The e-Services application does not fully support mobile phone or tablet access – please use your laptop or desktop instead. <br> <br>Our applications are best viewed using the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox or Safari. </p></div></div> </span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Informal beach trading</h2> <p>The application for a beach informal trading permit is different from an informal trading permit in other public spaces.</p> <p> Download and complete the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Informal_Beach_Trading_Application.pdf" target="_blank">Informal Beach Trading Application Form</a> and return to the relevant contact person listed on the form. </p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Contact us​​​​​​​</h2> </span> <h4>District Area Coordinator Office</h4> <p> <em>Telephone:<br><a>021 417 4043</a><br><br>Email: <br><a href="mailto:informal.trading@capetown.gov.za">informal.trading@capetown.gov.za</a></em> </p> </span>GP0|#fe449635-7a0f-4bda-acd0-69ce5e06d157;L0|#0fe449635-7a0f-4bda-acd0-69ce5e06d157|Business and trade;GTSet|#a7cfb90d-44ad-4426-98ce-565f79932396;GPP|#4fafd405-ee2c-4ec8-87ee-79828064c3d1;GPP|#54dbab3a-0b2f-4602-8af5-3d651c59a5f4To sell your goods in public spaces, you must apply for an Informal Trading Permit from the City.0

 

 

Basket of Services PamphletBasket of Services Pamphlet906532GP0|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033|Pamphlet;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2023-06-29T22:00:00Z
Covid-19 Informal Trading PamphletCovid-19 Informal Trading Pamphlet503270GP0|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033|Pamphlet;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2020-05-04T10:00:00Z
Informal Beach Trading Application FormInformal Beach Trading Application Form535642GP0|#f0b069a9-84bd-4629-943b-3e3dfa0685a7;L0|#0f0b069a9-84bd-4629-943b-3e3dfa0685a7|Application form;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#3a03f9b9-d2e9-49b1-92e1-37b654747f82;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2024-05-09T22:00:00Z
Informal Trading Dos and Don'ts Guideline (Afrikaans)Informal Trading Dos and Don'ts Guideline (Afrikaans)504559GP0|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33|Guideline;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2021-06-23T10:00:00Z
Informal Trading Dos and Don'ts Guideline (English)Informal Trading Dos and Don'ts Guideline (English)518094GP0|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33|Guideline;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2021-06-22T22:00:00Z
Informal Trading Dos and Don'ts Guideline (isiXhosa)Informal Trading Dos and Don'ts Guideline (isiXhosa)512231GP0|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33|Guideline;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2021-06-23T10:00:00Z
Informal Trading FAQs (Afrikaans)Informal Trading FAQs (Afrikaans)250220GP0|#7d9df7be-4d49-4007-95e2-153219f9c783;L0|#07d9df7be-4d49-4007-95e2-153219f9c783|FAQs;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2021-06-23T10:00:00Z
Informal Trading FAQs (English)Informal Trading FAQs (English)254728GP0|#7d9df7be-4d49-4007-95e2-153219f9c783;L0|#07d9df7be-4d49-4007-95e2-153219f9c783|FAQs;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2021-06-22T22:00:00Z
Informal Trading FAQs (isiXhosa)Informal Trading FAQs (isiXhosa)271200GP0|#7d9df7be-4d49-4007-95e2-153219f9c783;L0|#07d9df7be-4d49-4007-95e2-153219f9c783|FAQs;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2021-06-23T10:00:00Z
Informal Trading TariffsInformal Trading Tariffs692972GP0|#fe9c9791-d3b1-479c-9447-8be3f4d5e139;L0|#0fe9c9791-d3b1-479c-9447-8be3f4d5e139|Budget annexure;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#6f477a30-54ff-4877-a387-889f32ddb0f9;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e;GP0|#cd8d1412-d058-4a6b-aecb-9c6bd8dbc168;L0|#0cd8d1412-d058-4a6b-aecb-9c6bd8dbc168|Tariff;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#3a03f9b9-d2e9-49b1-92e1-37b654747f82;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2024-07-01T10:00:00Z
Property Management TariffsProperty Management Tariffs1290875GP0|#fe9c9791-d3b1-479c-9447-8be3f4d5e139;L0|#0fe9c9791-d3b1-479c-9447-8be3f4d5e139|Budget annexure;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#6f477a30-54ff-4877-a387-889f32ddb0f9;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e;GP0|#cd8d1412-d058-4a6b-aecb-9c6bd8dbc168;L0|#0cd8d1412-d058-4a6b-aecb-9c6bd8dbc168|Tariff;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#3a03f9b9-d2e9-49b1-92e1-37b654747f82;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2024-07-01T10:00:00Z

 

 

You have disabled JavaScript on your browser.
Please enable it in order to use City online applications.