National Building Regulations

NATIONAL BUILDING REGULATIONS AND BUILDING STANDARDS ACT 103 OF 1977

1. Did you know that not all renovations / alterations and / or improvements (such as a swimming pool / internal walls / carports etc.) made by an owner of a dwelling needs to be approved by the Local Authority? 

According to Section 13 of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 103 of 1977, certain renovations and / or alterations and / or improvements (defined as “Minor Works”) are exempted to appear on the approved and registered building plans.  According to the said section, any building control officer may in respect of the erection of a building defined as a minor building work, in writing exempt the owner of such building from the obligation to submit a plan to the Local Authority.  

2. According to the Act, “Minor building work means –

1. 1. tool shed not exceeding 10m² in area;
   2. child’s playhouse not exceeding 5m² in area;
   3. cycle shed not exceeding 5m² in area;
   4. greenhouse not exceeding 15m² in area;
   5. poultry house not exceeding 10m² in area;
   6. aviary not exceeding 20m² in area;
   7. solid fuel store not exceeding 10m² in area and 2m in height;
   8. open-sided car, caravan or boat shelter or a carport where such shelter or carport does not exceed 40m² in area;
   9. any free-standing wall constructed of masonry, concrete, steel, aluminium or timber or any wire fence where such wall or fence does not exceed 1,8m² in height at any point above ground level and does not retain soil;
   10. any pergola;
   11. private swimming pool;
   12. change room, not exceeding 10m² in area, at a private swimming pool;
   13. the replacement of a roof or part thereof with the same or similar material;
   14. the conversion of a door into a window or a window into a door without increasing the width of the opening;
   15. the making of an opening in a wall which does not affect the structural safety of the building concerned;
   16. the partitioning or the enlarging of any room by the erection or demolition of an internal wall if such erection or demolition does not affect the structural safety of the building concerned;
   17. the erection of any solar water heater not exceeding 6m² in area on any roof or 12m² when erected other than on any roof; and
   18. the erection of any other building where the nature of the erection is such that in the opinion of the building control officer it is not necessary for the applicant to submit, with his application, plans prepared in full conformity with these regulations;

3. Should you need us to revise your current contract to be in line with new legislation and protect your Seller / Purchaser, please feel free to contact us!

De Louw Le Roux – Director

Le Roux & Du Plessis Attorneys

Personal E-mail: delouw@salegal.co.za