Business & Trading

A hawker's or informal trader's permit lets you sell goods or food from a stall, table or vehicle on a street, pavement or designated trading area. Trading without one where a by-law requires it can lead to confiscation of your stock and a fine.

A temporary trading permit covers short-term selling that falls outside permanent business licensing — seasonal stalls, pop-up shops, festival vendors and once-off sales on public or private land. It is issued by the municipality under the Businesses Act 71 of 1991 and local by-laws.

A market stall permit lets you trade from a numbered stall at a municipal or private market for a set period. Municipal markets are run under your city's informal trading by-law; private markets (night markets, craft markets, farmers' markets) set their own rules but still need the underlying municipal trading approval for the site.

Selling food to the public — at an event, market, roadside or festival — requires a Certificate of Acceptability (COA) from your municipality's Environmental Health department under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act 54 of 1972, plus event or trading approval where applicable.

A temporary signage permit covers short-term advertising — banners, A-frames, election and event posters, estate agent boards, construction hoarding and pavement signs — under your municipality's outdoor advertising by-law.