The complete town planning library for South Africa.
Long-form guides written by SACPLAN-registered town planners. Zoning, rezoning, consent use, subdivision, ERF numbers, granny flats, spaza shops, guest houses, Airbnb and the full SPLUMA process - everything you need to plan, lodge and win an application.
What Is a Town Planner?
What a town planner does, how the role differs from an architect or land surveyor, and when you need one.
Zoning & Land Use
Zoning certificates, erf numbers, SPLUMA, land use rights and zoning categories explained.
- Guide 01
What Is a Zoning Certificate in South Africa? The Complete 2026 Guide
A zoning certificate is the single most important document for any property transaction or development in South Africa. Here is what it is, what it shows and how to get one in 2026.
Zoning & Land Use14 min readRead - Guide 02
How to Get a Zoning Certificate in South Africa (Step-by-Step)
Every step needed to request, pay for and receive a zoning certificate from any municipality in South Africa - including the metro online portals.
Zoning & Land Use16 min readRead - Guide 03
How to Check the Zoning of a Property in South Africa
Whether you are buying, building or starting a side business, here is how to confirm the zoning of any property in South Africa - free options and official records.
Zoning & Land Use7 min readRead - Guide 04
What Is an Erf Number? South African Property Identifiers Explained
Every South African property has an erf, stand or farm number. Here is what those numbers mean, how to read them and how to find yours.
Zoning & Land Use12 min readRead - Guide 05
How to Find an Erf Number From an Address in South Africa
Five fast ways to convert a street address into the correct erf number for use in zoning certificates, building plans and land use applications.
Zoning & Land Use6 min readRead - Guide 06
Residential Zoning in South Africa: Single Residential, General Residential and Group Housing Explained
A clear breakdown of South Africa's residential zoning categories, what you can do as of right, and what requires a consent use or rezoning application.
Zoning & Land Use9 min readRead - Guide 07
Business Zoning in South Africa: General Business, Local Business and Mixed Use Explained
How South Africa's business zoning categories actually work, what you can do as of right, and when you need rezoning or consent use applications.
Zoning & Land Use8 min readRead - Guide 08
What Is SPLUMA? The Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act Explained
SPLUMA replaced the old apartheid-era planning laws with a single national framework. Here is what it covers and how it shapes every land use application in South Africa.
Zoning & Land Use9 min readRead - Guide 09
Understanding Land Use Rights in South Africa
Your property's land use rights are the sum of its zoning, approved consents, departures, overlays and title conditions. Here is how to read them.
Zoning & Land Use11 min readRead - Guide 10
South African Zoning Categories Explained: Residential, Business, Industrial and Agricultural
A single reference for South Africa's zoning categories - what each one permits as of right, what needs consent, and why the same category carries a different name in each metro.
Zoning & Land Use14 min readRead - Guide 11
How to get a copy of your title deed in South Africa
Get a copy of a title deed in South Africa: at the Deeds Office, through DeedsWeb, or ordered for you.
Zoning & Land Use6 min readRead - Guide 12
What is an SG diagram and how do you get one?
An SG diagram is the Surveyor-General's approved plan of a property's boundaries.
Zoning & Land Use5 min readRead
Property Development
Granny flats, second dwellings, home businesses, spaza shops, guest houses and Airbnb in South Africa.
- Guide 01
How to Build a Granny Flat in South Africa (2026 Guide)
Granny flats - or second dwellings - are one of the most popular property upgrades in South Africa. Here is exactly how to get one approved.
Property Development12 min readRead - Guide 02
The Granny Flat Approval Process in South Africa (Step by Step)
Detailed step-by-step process for getting a granny flat approved by your municipality, from zoning certificate to occupation certificate.
Property Development8 min readRead - Guide 03
Can I Build a Second Dwelling on My Property in South Africa?
A direct answer to whether your specific property in South Africa can support a second dwelling - and what to do if it can't.
Property Development7 min readRead - Guide 04
Can I Run a Business From Home in South Africa?
Home businesses are a regulated land use in South Africa. Here is what you can do as of right, what needs consent, and what triggers rezoning.
Property Development8 min readRead - Guide 05
Can I Open a Spaza Shop on a Residential Property in South Africa?
Spaza shops on residential properties need both a town planning consent and a business licence. Here is exactly how it works in 2026.
Property Development8 min readRead - Guide 06
Guest House Approval Requirements in South Africa
Everything you need to legally operate a guest house in South Africa: consent use, grading, business licence, fire and health.
Property Development8 min readRead - Guide 07
Airbnb Regulations in South Africa: What You Need to Know (2026)
South Africa's first national tourism Bill is changing Airbnb regulation in 2026. Here is what hosts need to know about zoning, body corporates, tax and the proposed 30-day cap.
Property Development9 min readRead - Guide 08
Liquor licence South Africa: types, requirements and cost
A liquor licence in South Africa depends on the activity and the province. Retail licensing is handled by provincial liquor authorities, and fees differ by province and licence type. Before applying for a tavern, bottle store or other retail outlet, check whether the premises are lawfully zoned for that intended use.
Property Development12 min readRead
Municipal Applications
Rezoning, consent use, departure, subdivision, consolidation, removal of restrictions and SDPs.
- Guide 01
Rezoning Applications in South Africa: The Complete 2026 Guide
Rezoning is the most powerful land use application route. Here is every step, from feasibility to gazette notice to final approval.
Municipal Applications12 min readRead - Guide 02
Consent Use Applications in South Africa
Consent use is the fastest and cheapest land use application route. Here is how it works and when to use it.
Municipal Applications11 min readRead - Guide 03
Departure Applications in South Africa
When you need to relax a coverage, height, FAR or building line constraint, a departure is the right route. Here is how it works.
Municipal Applications8 min readRead - Guide 04
Subdivision Applications in South Africa
Subdividing land creates two or more new erven from one. Here is every step from town planning approval to deeds registration.
Municipal Applications11 min readRead - Guide 05
Consolidation Applications in South Africa
Consolidation merges adjoining erven into one. Here is how the SPLUMA consolidation process works.
Municipal Applications7 min readRead - Guide 06
Removal of Restrictive Conditions in South Africa
Old title deed conditions can block what zoning allows. Here is how to remove them under SPLUMA.
Municipal Applications8 min readRead - Guide 07
Site Development Plans in South Africa
Most rezonings and group housing approvals require a Site Development Plan. Here is what an SDP must include and how it is approved.
Municipal Applications10 min readRead - Guide 08
Certificate of Occupancy in South Africa: a property guide
An occupancy certificate is issued by the local authority after completion, confirming that a building may be occupied. It is different from the written approval required before building starts. If the certificate is missing, establish the municipal record, compare it with the actual building and obtain advice on outstanding approvals before assuming the position is regular.
Municipal Applications12 min readRead - Guide 09
Building Plan Approval in South Africa - The 2026 Owner's Guide
Every new build, extension or material alteration needs an approved building plan before construction can start. Here is the full 2026 process under the National Building Regulations.
Municipal Applications11 min readRead - Guide 10
How to Get Copies of Your Building Plans From the Municipality
Every approved building plan is kept in the municipality's records. Here is how to request a copy of your house plans in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Tshwane - and your options if the council has no plans on file.
Municipal Applications8 min readRead - Guide 11
How much does rezoning cost in South Africa? (2026)
A rezoning has three layers of cost: the planner's fee, the municipality's application fee and advertising, and costs that only arise for some properties.
Municipal Applications8 min readRead - Guide 12
Servitudes in South Africa: meaning and property implications
A servitude is a limited real right over another person’s property, registered against the title deed. It can affect access, services or how part of the land is used. Before building, subdividing or buying, read the registered wording and have the position checked against the diagram and your proposed use of the property.
Municipal Applications12 min readRead - Guide 13
Convert office to residential in South Africa
Converting an office to residential use starts with two separate questions: whether the municipal land use scheme allows the proposed use, and whether the building can meet the requirements for that use. A planning assessment helps identify the application route and further design enquiries before you commit to an apartment conversion.
Municipal Applications12 min readRead - Guide 14
HOA rules vs zoning rights in South Africa
Zoning rights, home owners association rules and title deed conditions operate separately. Municipal permission does not automatically remove an HOA restriction or a registered title condition. Before planning a granny flat, home business or guest house, check all three records and obtain legal advice where their interpretation or a dispute affects your proposal.
Municipal Applications12 min readRead
Town Planning
What town planners do, how much they cost, and when you need one.
- Guide 01
What Does a Town Planner Do in South Africa?
Town planners are SACPLAN-registered professionals who turn property development ideas into approved municipal applications.
Town Planning6 min readRead - Guide 02
How Much Does a Town Planner Cost in South Africa? (2026 Prices)
2026 town planner fee ranges by application type, plus how Landlodz's fixed-price model compares to traditional hourly billing.
Town Planning7 min readRead - Guide 03
Best Town Planners in South Africa: How to Choose (2026)
What 'best' actually means when hiring a town planner in South Africa - and the seven questions to ask before you sign.
Town Planning7 min readRead - Guide 04
When Do You Need a Town Planner in South Africa?
The ten most common scenarios where hiring a town planner pays for itself within a single application.
Town Planning6 min readRead - Guide 05
The Town Planning Process in South Africa Explained
A complete walkthrough of how a land use application moves through a South African municipality under SPLUMA.
Town Planning8 min readRead
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