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Building plan application documents

Building plan application documents

Access the necessary documentation and guidelines for your building plan application.

Building plan submission requirements

To submit a building plan or land use applications you must be registered for e-Services. Many of the applications listed below are now available as a service option on e-Services and will require registration. . 

Find out more on how to register for e-Services.

DAMS USER MANUALS

Our DAMS user manuals provide step-by-step assistance on a variety of online services. Visit the DAMS page to view all manuals.

Building plans are a prerequisite for the following:

  • Minor works: boundary walls, carports, swimming pools, internal alterations, any other building work of a minor nature
  • Buildings: dwellings and second dwellings, blocks of flats, hospitals, hotels, churches, warehouses, office blocks, shops and shopping centres
  • Industrial buildings, commercial buildings, sport and recreational buildings
  • Permits: Demolition permits, permits for special events and temporary buildings.

Once you have submitted your building plan, expect the following:

Scenario Processing time
Building plans for an area smaller than 500 square metres Thirty days, if the building plan complies with all requirements.
Building plans for an area larger than 500 square metresSixty days, if the building plan complies with all requirements.
Building plan work that triggers a land use application, or any other application in terms of applicable law as referred to in Section 7 or the National Building Regulations Act, e.g. where a departure from the land use requirements is necessary, or a heritage authorisation is triggered.The building plan will be referred back to the applicant and will need to be resubmitted once the land use application has been approved or necessary authoriation has been obtained.

Track the status of your building plans

Please note

In DAMS you can view and track all your building plan submissions under the ‘My DAMS Applications’ service on the e-Services portal. Building industry professionals now have a convenient, quick overview of all applications registered under their business partner information.

Property owners who have authorised a professional to make their building plan submission on their behalf must ensure that their contact details (email address and mobile numbers) are updated and correct on their business partner registration details to be kept informed on the progress of their applications. 

Read our DAMS Registration Booklet for more information.

If you need help with your application, visit your local district office for a pre-application consultation to determine if additional applications are required.

guidelines

Visit our reports and publications page to access useful guidelines and tips.

Submit a building plan application

All building plans requesting approval for building work, must be submitted through e-Services. 

Read the DAMS User Guide: Submit a Building Plan Application for step-by-step assistance. 

Visit City connect and follow the steps to find out how to submit a building plan:

City Connect

Submit a building plan

SANS 10400 forms

All relevant SANS forms must be signed and submitted as part of your building plan application via e-Services.

Download each form separately from the list below:

SANS 10400 Form 1
SANS 10400 Form 2
SANS 10400 Form 3
SANS 10400 Form 4

For more information on how to complete the forms, please refer to SANS Forms Guide.

Building plan extension

An approved building plan remains valid for one year (12-months) from the date of approval where the building work has not commenced, you can apply to extend the validity period.

Please note

An extension of validity cannot be granted once the approved building plan has lapsed. It is critical to apply for an extension of validity well in advance to enable the City to process and finalise such application prior the actual expiry date of the building plan.

You must be registered on e-Services to apply for an extention of validity. 

Read the DAMS User Guide: Request an Extension of Validity for step-by-step assistance. 

Where a building plan has expired and no extension was applied for during the validity period, a full application will need to be resubmitted to commence building work.

If an application is re-submitted within six months of the expiry date, only 50% of the plan fee for that building category will apply - provided that all of the clearances submitted for the first approval are still valid, this process is significantly shorter.

Should the plan be re-submitted more than six months after the expiry date, the full tariff will be applicable. 

Please note

Always refer to the correspondence received from the City during the application process for applicable time limits.

Suspended building work

Building work may not be suspended for longer than three consecutive months once started. A notice to resume and complete the work within a specified period of time will be issued, if building work does not commence.

If you fail to comply with the notice and we believe the unfinished structures are unattractive, dangerous or decreasing the neighbouring properties’ value, a demolition of the unfinished structures and removal of all building materials and rubble may be ordered. Alternatively, we will perform the demolition and removal for you, at your own cost.

Regulation A1(9) agreement

Fast fact

Property owners must follow the provisions contained in the National Building Regulations Act, Act No 103 of 1977. By granting another person the authority to act on your behalf, they agree to uphold the same obligations. Annexure A contains an extract of these obligations.

You can grant another person the authority to act on your behalf, by signing a Regulation A1(9) Agreement Form. This authorisation will form part of the supporting documentation necessary for the submission of your building plan application, and should include permission to complete and sign the SANS and application forms required in accordance with the National Building Regulations.

You are accountable as the registered property owner, to ensure adherence to the obligations of the National Builiding Regulations Act, particularly where your duly authorised nominee has not adhered to the terms of the abovementioned agreement.

Request a building inspection

Once building work begins, you must request an inspection for trenches, sewerage installations, and completed building work.

You must be registered on e-Services to submit a building plan application, once registered, you will also be able to make a request for a building inspection. 

Read the DAMS User Guide: Request a Building Inspection for step-by-step assistance.  

Step 1: Register for e-Services, if you are not already registered. 

Step 2: Once registered, login and activate the Development Management/Building Development Management service option. Select the 'Request a Building Inspection' tile under ‘other’ services, then follow the prompts to complete the necessary information. 

This step replaces the need to complete the Building Inspection request (BDM05) form. This form is no longer available to download. All inspection requests must be made two days before the inspection is required.

Request copy of plans

A request for copies of plans is now an online service option. As a registered e-Services user you can now make a request for copies of plans online. You are still required to provide copies of your identity document and municipal rates account.

If you appoint a consultant, architect or planner, then you need to issue the appointed person with a letter of consent. The person must also produce their own identity document when submitting the form.

Visit City connect and follow the steps to find out how to apply for copies of building plans:

City Connect

Apply for copies of building plans

Request for certificate of occupancy

You must be registered on e-Services to make a request for a certificate of occupancy. 

Once all building work has been properly completed, the owner, contractor or builder may apply to the department for a Certificate of Occupancy.

A certificate of occupancy will be issued within 14 days of receiving the request, on condition that work has been completed according to the approved plans. If the request is denied, the department will provide reasons. The building may only be used and occupied after a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued.

This step replaces the need to complete the Request for Occupancy Certificate) form. This form is no longer available to download.

Visit City connect and follow the steps to find out how to apply for a Certificate of Occupancy:

City Connect

Apply for a certificate of occupancy

Please note

Taking occupation of a building without a Certificate of Occupancy places the property owner at risk. Unsafe or illegal building work can lead to insurance issues.

Demolition forms

heritage resources

If the National Heritage Resources Act is triggered, the application for demolition cannot be considered without the submission of required Heritage Western Cape permit.

If you are going to be doing any demolition work, you have to submit a Demolition Permit Application Form with your plans and application. A building inspector must be informed of the intention to commence demolition 10 days prior to the intended date of demolition.

Visit City connect and follow the steps to find out how to apply for a demolition permit:

City Connect

Apply for a demolition permit

Engineer’s appointment form and certificate

A SANS 10400 Form 3 must be used when the owner/consultant appoints a competent person to undertake the design of an element or segment of the building.

Hoarding permit

If the scale and nature of your building project may affect or threaten pedestrian movement on any public footways or pavements, you may need to visit your nearest district office to apply for a hoarding permit.

A hoarding permit allows you to screen-off the construction activities from nearby public areas to ensure the public’s safety. For this application, you will need a basic layout plan illustrating the position, type and nature of the proposed hoarding structures. This is a fairly quick and simple procedure.

Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP)

When you submit a building plan application, you also need to complete and submit an Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP) for Building Waste Generators Application Form. This ensures that all building waste is stored and disposed of correctly during and after building work.  

Sectional title consent form

Sectional title schemes or Home Owners Association consent form.

Special events and temporary structures

For any special events which require temporary structures, you will have to complete an events permit application; part of your application will require you to detail the structure you wish to erect.

Visit City connect and follow the steps to find out how to apply for a temporary structure as part of your events permit application:

City Connect

Apply for a temporary structure

Submit a Minor Works application

Building work that won’t have a major impact on the use of a site or that will not change the fundamental structure of a building or property is referred to as minor building works – or ‘minor works’.

View or download the DAMS User Guide: Submit a Minor Works Application for step-by-step assistance.

Tariffs and tariff rules

See the Building Development Management Department’s tariffs.

When submitting a building plan application, scrutiny fees will be calculated according to official tariffs. These fees must be paid in full on submission of the application and are not refundable if the application is refused.

See the tariffs and tariff rules.

Document downloads

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