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Guide to minor works

Guide to minor works

Many property owners want to make changes or small additions to a property. Building works 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 are referred to as minor building works –  or ‘minor works’.

Minor works that do not need building plan approval

Some minor works do not need a building plan, and some do need plans to be submitted and approved.

Fast fact

As an owner of a property, you can draw up your own plans for certain types of building work, such as swimming pools and braais without chimneys.

Minor works that do not need approval include:

  • Braais without a chimney
  • Garden sheds less than 3 m2
  • Gate for cars – unless partly on pavement or the City’s land
  • Replacement of windows or doors– provided the existing frames aren’t load bearing, and that openings aren’t enlarged or that any openings needed for fire escapes aren’t removed
  • Minor repairs to a house or shop – for example, replacement of roofing or tile sheets
  • New appliances or new fittings – for example, installing a new toilet, bath or geyser, or changing the position of these, provided that the work does not include new or extended drainage or plumbing.

Minor works that do need building plan approval

Please note

Consult with us If you’re not sure and your intended action is not listed above enquire at your District Planning Office. You can find all District Planning Office contact information on the Development Management department page.

Even though they may be on private land and may not be a major build, minor works that do need approval include:

  • Swimming pools
  • Wendy houses
  • Garden sheds bigger than 3 m2
  • Carports
  • Any renovations that add new elements to a fundamental aspect of the building or property – like different roofing tiles, or a removal of a wall that may change the building’s structure
  • Boundary walls
  • Any temporary building being used for construction – like a builder’s hut
  • Aviary

Remember

All minor works must be used for its intended purpose; for example, you can’t build an ‘animal enclosure’ and have a tenant move in. If you want to change the use of an existing building, even where no physical work or construction was undertaken, you need to get approval first.

How to apply for minor works;

Any building works need to be applied for in the same way:      
By submitting a building plan application along with the relevant building plans and any other documentation or forms necessary for the type of build you are planning.

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