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Email Address
ulrich@upstudio.co.za
Physical Address
296 King Fisher Road, Leeuwfontein Estate, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, 0186
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Frequently Asked
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions section, where we address common inquiries to provide you with valuable insights into our architectural services. Whether you’re curious about our design process, project timelines, or how to initiate a collaboration, we’re here to guide you through the information you need. Explore our FAQ to gain a deeper understanding of building regulations in South Africa and discover how we can turn your architectural visions into reality.
Do my building plans really need to be approved by the local council/municipality?
Yes, your building plans really need to be approved by council. If you build without council-approved plans you may be served a notice of contravention (in accordance with section 17(1) of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 103 of 1977) ordering you to stop construction and submit plans for approval, or, to demolish the building and clear the rubble from the property. You will also need council-approved plans if you ever decide to sell your property.
I made changes to my property without updating the floor plans and submitting the plans for council approval, now what?
So you made changes to your property without updating the floor plans and submitting building plans to your local council for approval? The first thing you will need to do is appoint a reputable architect to check that the construction changes you made do not break any further laws (besides building illegally without approved plans), for example, did you build over a servitude or over the building line? The architect will then draw up the changes as new additions to your previously approved plans and submit these to your local building control authority for approval.
I want to make internal floorplan changes, do I need to submit building plans to council for approval?
Yes, you will need to submit building plans for approval by council before you can start making internal floorplan changes to your property. If you make internal floorplan changes without council approval you may also be served a notice of contravention by local council to cease construction until approval has been obtained. If you ever decide to sell your property you will need approved plans reflecting the changes you have made.
What is the process for submitting building plans for approval with the local authority?
Shortly explained, depending on the municipality, plans are either submitted digitally, or in person by an architectural facilitator, better known as a council runner. A fee will be charged according to the number of square meters to be built/ added/ changed in your plans. The plans will then be circulated through various departments for approval by the facilitator. These departments will often request ammendments to the plans for the architect’s review. When the plans are finally approved they will receive a dated ‘Approved’ stamp along with a ‘Notice of Approval’ letter. The entire building plan approval process may take anything from 3 – 6 months.