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Town Planning

Town Planning 044 801 9477 and consultation hours for Town Planners:  Walk-in clients – weekdays from 08h00 to 12h30.
Pre-booked appointments – weekdays from 14h00 to 16h00.

Town Planning Front Desk Reception: 044 801 9477
Town Planning Complaints: town.planning.complaints@george.gov.za
Comments and Objections: town.planning.applications@george.gov.za
Property Transfer Certificates: Marina Welman mhwelman@george.gov.za or 044 801 9171
Zoning Certificates: Lorraine Malangeni lxmalangeni@george.gov.za
Zoning Rectifications: (even numbers) Naudica Swanepoel nswanepoel@george.gov.za  and (uneven numbers) Ilané Huyser ihuyser@george.gov.za

DOCUMENTS AND LINKS
Click for George Municipality Zoning Scheme Map and GIS Public Viewer.
Click for Land Use Pre-consultation Application Form
Click for Land Use Submissions, Land Use Tribunal and Land Use Bylaw Decisions.
Click for Instructions for Online Land Use Applications.
Click for Municipal Spatial Development Framework and Local Spatial Development Frameworks.
Click for Town Planning Bylaws.
Click for Town Planning Policies and Guidelines.
Click for Schedule of Environmental Consultants

ONLINE LAND USE APPLICATIONS
Application Submissions
The Town Planning department has moved from its present internet-based land use application system to an on-line portal-based system to enable the electronic submission and processing of land use applications. Applicant need to register on the system as users before they can use the system and upload land use applications.

Applicants can register on the system by going to the following website https://westerncape.collaboratoronline.com/default.aspx
The above website address can also be used to upload building plan applications and OSCA/OSCAE permit applications.

The on-line portal system means that pre-application, section 38 requests, land use application documents, public participation documents, comments and objections  are no longer accepted by email to the department’s officials.

The necessary documents and detailed instructions to register on, and to use the on-line portal can be accessed and downloaded from the following link: https://www.george.gov.za/george-doc-categories/policies-strategies-plans-and-guidelines/planning-and-development-policies-strategies-plans-and-guidelines-2/

The documents may also be requested via email to town.planning.applications@george.gov.za)
For any queries or more information on the above please contact 044 801 9477 or email michelles@be.co.za or cebester@george.gov.za

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Due to the erratic delivery of registered notices and owners generally not collecting them, it has been decided that, where it is possible to do so, i.e. where the property is occupied, applicants may serve notices on owners by hand, provided that the necessary proof of delivery is provided.

Registered notices will only be necessary where no street address is available (such as smallholdings or farms) and where the property is vacant or unoccupied and where no email address is available. Postal and/or email address information can be requested from Marisa Arries (marries@george.gov.za or 044 801 9473).

Comments and objections on Land Use Applications
All comments and objections on land use applications must be submitted to the Department and the applicant in an electronic format. Neighbouring property owners and other interested and affected parties to the application, who do not have access to email can arrange with the following designated officials to submit comments and objections via WhatsApp or SMS:

  • Erven and Farm portions ending with an even number: Primrose Nako 044 801 9416 or (pnako@george.gov.za )
  • Erven and Farm portions ending with an uneven number : Marisa Arries (marries@george.gov.za) or 044 801 9473

Applicants must send notices to commenting bodies and state departments via email.

The applicants will still be required to place a site notice on the street boundary of the property in a position that is clearly visible to the surrounding neighbours when they pass by. Applications that have a broader impact will require the applicant to place a notice in the print edition of Die Burger (Southern Cape) or the George Herald.

Finally, applicants will need to arrange with Corlize Bester cebester@george.gov.za to also publish their applications the George Municipality’s website and Facebook page at least 3 days before notices are issued by emailing the Notice as a word document and the Application as one PDF document.

Planning and Environmental Management 
Deputy Director: Planning and Environmental Management: Delia Power 044 801 9476 dpower@george.gov.za
Chief Clerk: Zanele Norawana 044 801 9198 znorawana@george.gov.za

Town Planning
Senior Manager: Town Planning: Clinton Petersen 044 801 9182 cpetersen@george.gov.za
Senior Town Planner: Naudica Swanepoel 044 801 9318 nswanepoel@george.gov.za
Senior Town Planner: Ilanè Huyser 044 801 9120 ihuyser@george.gov.za
Town Planner: Martin Botha 044 801 9191 pmbotha@george.gov.za
Town Planner: Khuliso Mukhovha 044 801 9447  kjmukhovha@george.gov.za

Town Planner: Robert Janse Van Rensburg 044 809 9555 rhjansevanrensburg@george.gov.za
Town Planner: Fakazile Vava 044 801 9555 fvava@george.gov.za
Assistant Town Planner: Robin Hector 044 801 9475 rlhector@george.gov.za
Assistant Town Planner: Amelia Lombard 044 801 9303  alombard@george.gov.za

Spatial Planning 

Senior Manager: Spatial Planning : Henriëtte Koch 044 801 9024 hkoch@george.gov.za 
Senior Spatial Planner: Lynette Groenewald 044 801 9436 lgroenewald@george.gov.za
Spatial Planner: Henko Lourens 044 801 9047 hlourens@george.gov.za
GIS: Corlize Bester 044 801 9117 cebester@george.gov.za
Environmental Management (OSCAE Permits):  georgeea@george.gov.za
Environmental Officer – Lauren Josias 0448019451  ljosias@george.gov.za

Land Use 
Senior Land-Use Officer (Tribunal and Appeals): Keith Meyer 044 801 9435 kbmeyer@george.gov.za
Senior Town Planning Administrator: Primrose Nako 044 801 9416 pnako@george.gov.za
Senior Town Planning Administrator: Marisa Arries 044 801 9473 marries@george.gov.za
Senior Clerk (Front Desk): Lorraine Malangeni 044 801 9477 lxmalangeni@george.gov.za

Compliance, Complaints, and Investigations
Manager Compliance, Complaints, and Investigation: Amanda Joubert 044 801 9171 ajoubert@george.gov.za
Administrator: Marina Welman 044 801 9171  mhwelman@george.gov.za
Town Planning Inspector: Nathi Timakwe 044 801 9119 ntimakwe@george.gov.za

Licensing of Spaza Shops, House Shops and other Food Premises
All businesses mentioned below or who conduct businesses as below must apply for a business licence:

Sale or supply of meals or perishable foodstuffs
The carrying on of business by the sale or supply to consumers of –

  • any foodstuff in the form of meals for consumption on or off the business premises; or
  • any perishable foodstuffs.

Health Establishments
The carrying on of business by

  • providing Turkish baths, saunas or other health baths;
  • providing massage or infrared treatment;
  • making the services of an escort, whether male or female, available to any other person.

Entertainment
The carrying on of business by

  • keeping three or more mechanical, electronic, or electrical contrivances, instruments, apparatus or devices which are designed or used for the purpose of the playing of any game or for the purpose of recreation or amusement, and the operation which involves the payment of any valuable consideration, either by the insertion of a coin, token coin or disc therein or in an appliance attached thereto or in any other manner;
  • keeping three or more snooker or billiard tables;
  • keeping or conducting a night club or discotheque;
  • keeping or conducting a cinema or theatre.

Hawking in meals or perishable foodstuffs
The carrying on of business, whether as principal, employee or agent, by selling any foodstuff in the form of meals or any perishable foodstuff

  • which is conveyed from place to place, whether by vehicle or otherwise;
  • on a public road or at any other place accessible to the public; or
  • in, on or from a movable structure or stationery vehicle; unless the business is conveyed by a licence for a business referred to in item 1 of this Schedule


HOW TO APPLY FOR A BUSINESS LICENCE?
An application form must be completed, which can be obtained at the George Municipality, Department for Environmental Services situated at 82 Meade Street, George and at the Municipal Offices in Uniondale. The application fee for a Business licence and an Entertainment licence is R 74,20.  The fee for a hawkers’ licence is R 30,36.  Please note that the application fee is not refundable.

The following documents must be submitted with the application:

  1. Fully completed and signed application form and proof of payment.
  2. Copy of certified ID or passport.
  3. Copy of certified certificate of acceptability (COA).
  4. Copy of the municipal account where the business is operated.
  5. Site plan indicating where the premises is located. The site plan must indicate details of the type of structure or the building from which business is conducted.
  6. Proof of ownership or permission to utilise business premises.
  7. Business registration with the CIPC.

The processing of the application will take up to thirty (30) working days before an outcome will be available.  Note that the Municipality may refuse the application.


OTHER REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO SHOPS

Building Plan Requirements 
The structure from which a shop is operated must have an approved building plan. House shops must be operated from structures that comply with the requirements for human occupancy in terms of the National Building Regulations and Building standards Act, 1977.

A building plan application must consist of at least the following:

  • Site Plan
  • Floor Layout
  • Section
  • Elevations
  • Fire Protection Plan

The building plans must clearly indicate the structure’s intended use, including all relevant services such as electrical, plumbing, water reticulation, ventilation, sanitaryware etc.  The application must be compiled by a registered competent person and submitted on the Collaborator Portal. The application will be circulated to relevant municipal departments and other authorities for comments and compliance verification with applicable laws and regulations.

Minor Works / Temporary Structures / Buildings
Temporary buildings/structures means, any structure or erection or part of structure or erection which is intended to be used only for temporary purpose for a definite period and which is made of temporary and quickly removable building material other  than material of permanent nature. These structures are multi-purpose, portable structures that offer protection under all weather conditions.

These include:

  1. Containers
  2. Wendy House type structures
  3. Mobile units
  4. Or any similar structures/buildings.

The applicable fees are determined as per the approved tariffs:

  1. New structures calculated at R29 per square meter, subject to minimum fee R424.00.
  2. Change to existing buildings at R23.00 per R850.00 of the estimated cost, subject to minimum fee R424.00.
  3. Minor building works at R424.00.

Inspection Requirements
If the building plan application is approved, three compulsory inspections must be conducted before applying for an Occupation Certificate:

  1. Commencement/Open Trench Inspection
  2. Open Drainage Inspection
  3. Completion Inspection

These inspections must be scheduled two days in advance of the desired inspection date.

Requirements for Occupation Certificate 
To apply for an Occupation Certificate, the following compliance certificates are required:

  • Electrical Compliance Certificate
  • Plumbing Compliance Certificate
  • Certificate of Acceptability for Food Premises (if applicable, to be obtained from Garden Route District Municipality)
  • Gas Certificate (if applicable)
  • Glazing Certificate of Conformance (if safety glass is used)
  • Fire Safety Certificate (if applicable)
  • SANS Form 4 Engineer Certificate (if applicable)
  • SANS Form 4 Architect Certificate (if applicable)

Zoning Requirements applicable to House Shops / Spaza Shops 

  1. In terms of the George Integrated Zoning Scheme By-Law, 2023 Zoning Scheme house shops are permitted as a consent use on properties zone Single Residential Zone I and III, and a house shop of 6 square metres or less is permitted on a property zoned Single Residential Zone III as a primary right, meaning that a land use application is not required.
  2. The George Municipality: Town Planning Policy on House Shops and Other Residential Based Retail Concerns (House Shop policy) was adopted by the George Council on 25 August 2021 and provides details regarding the allowance of house shops and other retail or services type businesses in residential areas.
  3. The Municipality issued guidelines for the submission of House shop applications which have been simplified to assist property owner with the process of legalising the business operated from their property.

Documents required to be submitted with the application and include:

  1. A simplified site layout plan illustrating, inter alia, the structures on site and respective uses (dwelling house vs house shop);
  2. Public participation to be followed;
    A simplified application form and motivation memorandum (one document) which can be filled in by hand or be made available electronically.
    An application fee will be payable on submission of the application.  The processing of the application will take up to 60 days before an outcome is provided.

The guidelines and application form are available on the Municipality’s website or at the Planning front desk on the 5th Floor of the Main Building. The complete application can be submitted by hand at the Planning help desk at 71 York Street or e-mailed to town.planning.applications@george.gov.za;  (Note that this applies only to house shops/spaza shops. All other land use applications must be submitted electronically via the portal).

The application must be submitted by the landowner or be accompanied by a sufficient power of attorney be provided by the landowner.

Should the property owner, receive a land use approval for the house shop from planning, the owner must still ensure that the required Building Plan approvals and Business Licence is obtained.

The Health Certificate and the Certificate of Acceptability, which is also required, is issued by the Garden Route District Municipality.