City of Cape Town Link

Home-based business

<div class="ExternalClass32CD26A5A380419580C747A15F956AAB"><p>You may choose to run your business from your home.</p></div>

<h2 class="sectHeading">Using your home for your business</h2><p>A home-based business may be a small church/place of worship, bed and breakfast or crèche. While these uses are welcomed, you need to ensure that the use of your property is in line with the zoning of the premises and, where applicable, consent for alternative uses must be obtained.</p><p>Businesses that occupy a physical space ( i.e., entertainment venues, massage parlours etc.) require a <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Business-and-trade/Apply-for-a-business-licence">business licence</a> in addition to CIPC registration. Owners should also disclose anything about their operations that might affect the public, such as if its activities are likely to have a noise impact or require a designated smoking area.</p><p> To handle and/or sell food, a certificate of acceptability is required as well.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic"><i class="info citycard"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Business-and-trade/Apply-for-a-business-licence">Apply for a business licence</a><br><a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Business-and-trade/Apply-for-a-certificate-of-acceptability">Apply for a certificate of acceptability</a></p></div></div></span> <p>A property zoned Single Residential 1 allows for a single dwelling house to be built. It also allows for additional uses such as working from home, a bed and breakfast establishment (no more than six paying guests and no more than three rooms being used for guests), and home child care (a small crèche of up to six children). </p><p>If you own a property zoned for Single Residential 1 and you want to operate a place of worship, small business (such as a house shop), guest house or crèche with more than six guests/children; or you want to build a second house on the property, you will need to apply for and be granted a consent use or temporary departure.</p><p>Consult the summary and explanation of the zonings and development rules of our <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 to understand your property's zoning.</a></p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Applying for consent use</h2></span> <p>You can visit your local <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/TDA%20DM%20-%20Contacts.pdf" target="_blank">district planning office</a> to verify the zoning of your property. Your planning office will advise you of what process you need to follow in order to comply with applicable legislation or to avoid further action.</p><p>The City’s land use and building inspectors are available to help you with any queries you may have regarding zoning matters and building applications so that together we can ensure families and businesses can enjoy legally compliant, well-constructed, safe spaces.</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> Complaints relating to illegal use of property for businesses can be submitted in writing to the City’s Property Enforcement Section at your <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/TDA%20DM%20-%20Contacts.pdf" target="_blank">local planning district office </a>for their investigation. Find out more about <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-property-and-houses/property-problems-and-disputes/illegal-land-use">illegal land use and how to report it. </a></p></div></div></span>

How to register your business, the licences and permits you will need to apply for and associated legislation.