How to register building plans

By Real People at 21 Dec 2017, 10:00 AM

Once the building plans for your new home or renovations have been drawn up you will need to submit them to your Local Authority for approval.

Here are important tips on how to register your building plans:

Although it may be tempting to get an unqualified friend to draw up plans for you as a cheaper option, this could be a costly mistake in the end
A professional will design the house or extensions according to correct building regulations and will be able to walk you through the process from concept to submission to council and ultimately obtain final approval for you

According to the National Building Regulations & Building Standards Act, no person may remove, add, or modify any building without prior approval from the Local Council / Municipality
The required documents must be submitted with a submission fee, at the local municipality offices or the City’s Development Management Department for approval

Once you have your plans, should you wish to submit them yourself you will need:

General diagram that shows the allocated property, property linings, numerical data of the property lining etc.
Layout drawings of the structure outlining each area, including electrical and drainage components
A copy of the registered title deed

Confirms which zone category your project falls under (i.e. residential, business, agriculture, or commercial) and the recommended living space

The final amount will be calculated according to the details provided at the local municipality office/help desk

If your building site is within a complex/estate, approval from the Residential Committee is required, as well as neighbour consent
If you wish to install a pool, fireplace or alter the interior structure of the house, these plans must also be submitted and approved

Once you have gathered the required documentation, you may submit them to your local municipality
Other forms that may be required are the Appointment of Registered Person form which indicates that the builder/s involved have agreed to do the project

Patience is required once applications have been submitted. The approval process may take well over six weeks
If you wish to see how far the procedure is, you may check the progress of your application on the local municipality’s website
After four weeks, request an update and follow up with your local municipality to ensure that all the required documentation has been received

A written notice of approval will be sent to you which should be given to the building inspectorate
The notice informs the building inspector that building may begin and inspection should be completed at each stage (foundation, framing, plumbing etc.)
It is important to note that if you do not follow the approved plan, a new set of building plans must be submitted and approved before you use them

Upon receiving the approval notice, a building inspector from the local council will need to oversee the following elements in the building process:

The inspector will check the land/site to confirm you are building within your property lines
The foundation will be checked once the trenches have been dug out (before concrete is poured), the condition of the soil, erosion, and waste/under drain pipes and footings will also be examined
The next inspection will be conducted once the walls have been built (prior roofing) The local council will check the structure of the building, the roof trusses, wiring, piers and columns, and the wall bracing
During the building process, any piping fixtures that are added must be left uncovered for inspection
The inspector will then conduct a final check to ensure that all building work has been done according to plan
Upon final approval, an Occupancy Certificate will be issued so that the individual may take occupation of the house and complete the necessary interior fixtures and fittings