Do I need approval for a small garden marquee at home?

Small private-family structures are often exempt, but check with building control — size thresholds differ between municipalities.

What about containers used as shops?

A container used as business premises generally needs both building approval and land-use (zoning) consent.

Construction & Property

Temporary Building Permit & Minor Works Approval in South Africa

In plain English

Temporary structures — marquees, site offices, construction hoarding, stages, containers and even large jumps or scaffolding in public space — need municipal approval under the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 103 of 1977, even when they will only stand for a few days.

View requirements Visit official website

Who needs this permit

Event organisers erecting stages or marquees, contractors placing site offices or hoarding, homeowners putting up a temporary structure during renovations, and businesses using containers or temporary shops.

When is it required

Before erecting any temporary building or structure, especially anything over a set floor area, anything the public enters, or anything on public land.

Eligibility

Permission of the landowner or the municipality for public land
Structural details or a competent person's sign-off for stages, grandstands and large marquees
Compliance with fire and safety requirements

Documents you need before applying

Application to the municipal building control office
Site plan showing where the structure will stand
Structural drawings or an engineer's certificate for larger structures
Fire safety plan for public gatherings
Proof of landowner consent

Download a printable checklist

A one-page PDF of everything you need to bring with you. Tick items off before you go.

How to apply — step by step

1
Ask building control whether approval is needed
Small private structures are sometimes exempt, but anything the public enters almost never is. A five-minute call prevents a demolition order.
2
Submit plans and the application
Include the erection and removal dates. Temporary approvals are time-limited and conditional.
3
Pass inspection and remove on time
Inspectors may check the structure before an event opens. Remove it by the expiry date or apply for an extension in advance.

Where, how much, how long

Where to apply

The building control office of your local municipality.

Fees

Modest plan and inspection fees that scale with size and duration.

Processing time

A few days for simple structures; allow 2–4 weeks where engineering sign-off is needed.

Validity

The approved period only — typically days to months, never open-ended.

Renewal

Apply for an extension before expiry. Structures left up beyond the approved period trigger enforcement action and can be demolished at the owner's cost.

Common mistakes to avoid

Treating a marquee at a public event as 'just a tent' — occupant loads trigger building and fire rules
No engineer's certificate for stages and grandstands
Leaving the structure up after the permit lapses