Town PlannerJOHANNESBURG

Service · City of Johannesburg

Second Dwellings & Backyard Units in Johannesburg

Backyard rental and family cottages are part of how Joburg grows — from Soweto to Randburg. Whether you need a consent, a rezoning or only building plans depends on your zoning and title.

When you need it

  • Building a granny flat or cottage
  • Converting outbuildings into rental rooms
  • Regularising existing backyard units

What's different in Joburg

  • The 2018 scheme made additional dwelling units easier in many Residential 1 erven, but title conditions and density still apply.

The process

  1. Rights check. We confirm what your zoning and title allow.
  2. Right application. Consent, rezoning or straight to building plans — whichever is needed.
  3. Plans. Your architect submits building plans once land use is in place.

Documents you'll typically need

  • Title deed
  • Zoning certificate
  • Site plan

How long it takes

From a few weeks (plans only) to 6+ months (consent/rezoning). These are typical ranges, not promises — the City's workload and objections drive the real timeline.

Where we often see this

NoordwykEmmarentiaLindenBlairgowrieFloridaWeltevredenparkHelderkruinSowetoDiepkloofMeadowlandsPimvilleLonehill

Related applications

  • Consent Use — Get the City's consent for a use your zoning allows only with permission.
  • Subdivision — Split one erf or holding into two or more portions with their own title.