Identify your property zoning A land use application must be applied for and approved before a property can be utilised for an activity not specified in its current applicable zoning.
Once the zoning of a property has been identified and the development rules applicable are applied to the development proposal, the applicable land use application can be identified.
These land use application types are listed below:
Step 1: To identify the zoning allocated to your property, look on the existing zoning map at your local district planning office or on our
City Map and Zoning Viewer .
Step 2: Now that you know the zoning of your property, turn to the
Development Management Scheme (DMS) in the
Municipal Planning By-law . Look up your particular zoning category to see what land uses and what development rules apply to your property.
Step 3: With the allowed land uses and development rules in mind, decide how your plans for the property may be accommodated on the site. If your plans deviate from the existing development rules, you may need to apply for permission from the City for:
Departure: a deviation from the land uses or development rules prescribed in the DMS, granted by the City on a temporary or permanent basis; or
Rezoning: the process to permanently change a property’s zoning in terms of the law, such as from “single residential 1” to “general business”. This process starts with an application to the City. View our
Land Use Management Submission Requirements and our
Land Use Management Guidelines for more information.
Step 4: Depending on the scale of your development, you may be required to schedule a
pre-submission consultation meeting with your local planning office.
Step 5: Once you have determined your property’s zoning, and the land use and development rights permitted in that zoning, you will be able to check whether your planned development or land use activity is allowed without you having to submit an application to the City of Cape Town.
Submitting your application
register for e-services You must be
registered for e-Services to access this service and submit your development applications.
See our DAMS Registration Booklet for guidelines on how to register. Our
DAMS user manuals also provide step-by-step assistance on a variety of online services.
DAMS REGISTRATION Download the guideline for step-by-step instructions.
Download PDF
Step 1: Register for e-Services , if you aren't already registered.
Step 2: Once registered, login to e-Services and activate the Development Management service option. Select the Land Use Management tile to view the service options, and select Submit Land Use Management Application under the ‘submit application’ service option, then follow the prompts to complete the necessary information.
This step replaces the need to complete the Land Use Application (LUM01) form. This form is no longer available to download.
Step 3: Follow the prompts and complete the required information. Make sure you upload all mandatory and where necessary, supporting documentation.
Tariffs are calculated on the type of application that is being made, as per the City’s Land Use Management tariffs in the document downloads below.
Payment We accept the following methods of payment:
Cash, debit and/or credit card: We will cover the bank cost on a cash, debit and/or credit card payment on an amount above R7000 per transaction. We absorb such costs in respect of single payments of R7000 and below.
Direct deposit at ABSA Bank: Insert your payment reference number on your deposit slip
Electronic payments (EFT): Select the City of Cape Town as a bank listed beneficiary on your bank's website. Use your 9 - digit reference number in the beneficiary account number/ payment reference field.
Please note Please ensure that you have filled out your forms correctly and provided all the information required. Incorrectly submitted applications have a higher chance of being rejected.
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