The City of Cape Town publishes a free public map viewer - searched for just as often as the "Cape Town city viewer" or the "Cape Town zoning map" - that shows the zoning of every erf in the metro. You can search by address, erf number or street name, and it returns the zoning code, the relevant zoning scheme and the base development controls (height, coverage, building lines).
Below is the direct link, a step-by-step on how to read the result, and a plain-English translation of the most common Cape Town zoning codes. If you find that your zoning does not allow what you want to do, scroll to the bottom - a Landlodz town planner will tell you for free whether a rezoning, departure or consent use is the right route.
Official viewer
City of Cape Town Map Viewer
Scheme: Development Management Scheme (DMS) · Municipal Planning By-Law (MPBL), 2015
How to read a Cape Town zoning result
5 steps- Step 01
Open the Map Viewer
Use the official Cape Town Map Viewer link above. It loads in any modern browser, no login required.
- Step 02
Search by address or erf
Type the street address into the search bar. If you only have an erf number, prefix it with the suburb (e.g. 'Erf 12345 Sea Point'). Click the result and the viewer zooms to that parcel.
- Step 03
Turn on the zoning layer
Open the layers panel and tick 'Zoning' under the Development Management category. The parcel is now coloured by zoning category.
- Step 04
Click the erf to see the code
Clicking the parcel pops up the zoning code (e.g. SR1, GR2, GB1), the registered erf number, ownership status and any overlay zones (heritage, urban edge, scenic drive).
- Step 05
Cross-check with a zoning certificate
The viewer is informational only. For a legal application you still need a signed zoning certificate, which you request directly from the City of Cape Town via eServices. Landlodz does not generate or order certificates - our assigned planner shows you exactly how to request one and then incorporates it into your application pack.
Need the title deed or SG diagram for this property?
Title deed copy R399 · SG diagram R250 · both R600. Emailed as a PDF, usually within 1–3 working days.
Title deed copyCape Town zoning codes in plain language
10 codes- SR1
Single Residential 1 - one dwelling per erf, no businesses without consent use.
- SR2
Single Residential 2 - slightly denser, often allows additional dwelling unit (second dwelling).
- GR1–GR6
General Residential - flats, apartments and group housing at increasing density.
- GB1–GB7
General Business - retail, offices, mixed use. GB7 is the highest density CBD-style.
- LB1–LB2
Local Business - small-scale shops and offices, usually on suburban corner sites.
- MU1–MU3
Mixed Use - residential above commercial; common along main roads.
- CO1–CO2
Community zones - schools, places of worship, clinics.
- OS1–OS3
Open Space - parks, public open space, environmental conservation.
- TR1–TR2
Transport - roads, rail reserves, public transport interchanges.
- AG
Agriculture - farming, smallholdings on the urban periphery.
Frequently asked questions
5 answersIs the Cape Town Map Viewer free?+
Yes. The Map Viewer is free and public - no login or municipal account is required. A formal zoning certificate (signed PDF) costs a small fee and is ordered through Cape Town eServices.
Can I run a business from a Single Residential erf in Cape Town?+
Sometimes - the DMS allows a 'home occupation' on SR1/SR2 erven if the use is incidental to the dwelling. Anything larger (a guesthouse, spaza, salon with walk-in trade) needs consent use or rezoning. A planner will confirm in a free consult.
The zoning code looks wrong - can I challenge it?+
Yes. If the viewer shows a zoning you disagree with, request a written zoning certificate directly from the City. If that is still incorrect, the MPBL allows a rectification application. Landlodz handles rectifications routinely.
Is the Cape Town city viewer the same thing as the zoning viewer?+
Yes. People search for it as the Cape Town map viewer, the city viewer, the zoning map and the zoning viewer - they are all the same free public tool published by the City of Cape Town. Zoning is one of the layers you switch on inside it.
Does the viewer show overlay zones?+
Yes - heritage overlay, urban edge, scenic drive, environmental and floodline overlays all appear as additional layers. Overlays often add restrictions that the base zoning code alone does not show.
Zoning blocking your plans?
Talk to a registered town planner - free first consult.
We confirm whether you need a rezoning, consent use, departure or nothing at all - and lodge the application if you do.
Start a free consult