City of Cape Town Link

Apply for an administrative penalty

<div class="ExternalClassBB46FAF96E774D2C84C811B6059BCFA5"><p>An administrative penalty applies to any unauthorised structures or land uses identified on a property that contravene the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Work%20and%20business/Planning-portal/Regulations-and-legislations/The-city-of-cape-towns-development-management-scheme">Development Management Scheme (DMS)</a> or conditions of approval of a previous land use approval. To rectify a contravention, you must submit an administrative penalty application.<br></p></div>

<span> <h2 class="sectHeading">About</h2></span> <p> The City’s <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Development%20Management%20Department">Development Management Department</a> checks all building plan applications to ensure compliance with the DMS. If we identify any unauthorised building work or land use on a property, the contravention needs to be rectified.</p><h4>The property owner can rectify the contravention by:</h4><ul><li>stopping the use and demolishing the unauthorised building work; or </li><li>submitting an <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Planning-building-and-development/Land-use-applications/Apply-for-land-use">application for the determination of an administrative penalty together with an application for the consideration of the required land use/departure</a>.</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> An administrative penalty only applies to the aspect of the building work or land use that contravenes the DMS or conditions of approval of a previous land use approval.<br></p></div></div></span> <p>The Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT) will determine an appropriate fee for the administrative penalty application. </p><h4>To determine the fee, the MPT considers: </h4><ul><li>the behaviour of the person involved in the contravention; </li><li>the nature, duration, gravity and extent of the contravention; <br></li><li>whether the unlawful conduct was stopped; and </li><li>whether or not the person involved in the contravention has previously contravened the current planning by-law or a previous law.</li></ul> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Submit an application</h2></span><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>municipal planning by-law<br></h4><p> Contraventions are prescribed in terms of section 130 (5) of the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/planning-portal/regulations-and-legislations/planning-by-law">Municipal Planning-By-law (MPBL)</a>. To rectify any contravention, you must submit an administrative penalty application in terms of section 42(r) of the MPBL.<br></p></div></div></span> <p>We only accept building plans and land use applications submitted online via the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/planning-portal/online-planning-and-building-resources/dams">Development Application Management System (DAMS)</a>. Read our<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/e-Services_DAMS_%20Registration_Guide.pdf" target="_blank"> registration guidelines</a> for help registering if you do not have an account.. </p><p></p><ul><li> <strong>Step 1: </strong> Login to <a href="https://eservices.capetown.gov.za/irj/portal" target="_blank">e-Services</a>. </li><li> <strong>Step 2: </strong>Read or download the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/DAMS_User_Manual-Administrative_Penalty_Application.pdf">user manual</a> and follow the steps to submit an application for the determination of an administrative penalty.</li></ul><p></p> <span> <div class="lrg-icon-content bordered"><div class="lrg-icon lrg-check"><p> <b>The following documents are mandatory to process the request:</b></p><ul><li>Motivation letter</li><li>Plan </li><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/MPBL%20-%20LUM02%20-%20Power%20of%20Attorney.pdf" target="_blank">Power of attorney</a></li><li>Title deed</li></ul></div></div></span> <h4>Categories of contraventions to which an administrative penalty does not apply:</h4><p>On 7 December 2023, Council prescribed updated categories of contraventions to which the provisions of section 130 (2) and (3) of the MPBL do not apply. </p><p> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Categories_of_contraventions_not_applicable.pdf" target="_blank">View the categories</a>.<br></p><h4>View the exemption areas on City Map Viewer: <br></h4><ul><li><strong>Step 1:</strong> Go to <a href="https://citymaps.capetown.gov.za/EGISViewer/" target="_blank">City Map Viewer</a>.</li><li><strong>Step 2:</strong> Open the Spatial Planning Layer</li><li><strong>Step 3:</strong> Select 'Administrative Penalty Exempted Area' to view</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Contact us<br></h2><p>You can visit the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Development%20Management%20Department">Development Management Department</a> for more assistance or information.</p><p>Please refer to the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/TDA%20DM%20-%20Contacts.pdf" target="_blank">department contact list</a> for your relevant planning office contact details.</p>

Apply for an administrative penalty to rectify building and land use contraventions.