CITY OF CAPE TOWN
25 FEBRUARY 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
City advises on how to obtain copies of building plans
Owners often need to obtain copies of their property's approved building plan. Be it to sell a property or to make renovations to a building, there comes a time when the latest version of these plans are necessary. Lately, the City of Cape Town has received numerous enquiries from residents, asking how they can obtain these plans. Read more below:
Previously approved building plans are held by the City of Cape Town.
All property owners should ensure that the City has a record of their plans and if not, it is the owner’s responsibility to have the built structures on the property measured and plans drawn up. Although comprehensive, there are cases where the City's database of approved building plans does not have a record of a specific building plan.
'A copy of the previously approved building plan is usually required in cases where a property owner wants to make changes to a structure, such as extensions, additions or alterations, or when selling a home in order to provide proof that the building has been approved by the municipality. Recently, we have received many inquiries from residents about how they can access their plans. Property owners can obtain a copy of an approved building plan by emailing the necessary application form and documents to their local Development Management district office hub,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt.
Copies of building plans will not be provided without the authorisation of the document owner, which is usually the registered property owner or the appointed architect or draughts person. Once the resident has obtained this authorisation, a formal application is to be submitted and the search fee paid.
Upon receipt of all relevant documents and confirmation of the fee payment, the application will be accepted and processed accordingly. The City charges a search fee for copies of plans as determined by the Land Use Management tariffs schedule. The City accepts cash; debit or credit cards; direct deposits at the bank, and electronic payments.
For copies of plans, the below documentation is required. These should be submitted simultaneously: • Application form to be completed in full and signed by owner/s • Copy of municipal rates account • Copies of owner/s and applicant’s ID documents • Resolution letter if property ownership is a company • Power of Attorney/Consent letter, if applicable • Fees payable range between R140 and R300, depending on the building
The contact details for the City of Cape Town Development Management district office hubs are as follows:
Info hub Contact details Blaauwberg 021 444 0561 Blaauwberg.hub@capetown.gov.za
Cape Flats 021 684 4369 Capeflats.hub@capetown.gov.za
Helderberg 021 444 4620 Northern.hub@capetown.gov.za
Khayelitsha/ Mitchells Plain 021 360 1101 Khayemitch.hub@capetown.gov.za
Northern 021 444 1057 Northern.hub@capetown.gov.za
Southern 021 444 7721 Southern.hub@capetown.gov.za
Table Bay 021 400 6444 Tablebay.hub@capetown.gov.za
Tygerberg 021 444 7843 Tygerberg.hub@capetown.gov.za