Mossel Bay Municipality
Building Control

Mossel Bay was officially proclaimed a town in 1848 and in 1852
it became a Municipality

Building Control

Submissions

Notices

Building Inspections

Manager

OVERVIEW

Building Control Section is a regulatory unit within the Directorate: Planning and Economic Development of the Municipality. It ensures that building activities within its jurisdiction comply with applicable Legislation, Regulations, and Standards. The most notably frameworks include the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act (Act 103 of 1977) as amended, relevant Municipal By-Laws and approved Zoning Scheme.

This section is responsble for matters related to Heritage Conservation and Building Aesthetics within the jurisdiction.

SUBMISSIONS

Building
Applications

Heritage

Frequently Asked
Questions

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Contact List

The submission and approval of building plans is a statutory requirement regulated in terms of Section 7 of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977 (Act 103 of 1977, as amended), as well as relevant Municipal By-laws.

The purpose of the building plan submission process is to ensure that:

All proposed building work complies with applicable legislation.
Developments align with Municipal planning policies, zoning rights, and aesthetic requirements.
Construction activities are monitored to protect the interests of property owners, the public, and the built environment.

Who must submit building plans?

Any person who intends to build a structure on their property is required to submit a building plan for approval. This would include new buildings, alterations or additions to buildings, boundary walls, swimming pools, garages, wendy houses and tool sheds to name a few.
Applications for demolition of buildings/structures must be submitted physically at the Building Control Front Desk.
The Demolition Application Form will serve as both application and guide to the specific requirements.
Applications are typically prepared and submitted by an Architectural Professional.

How are plans submitted?

All submissions must be lodged electronically via the Western Cape Collaborator Portal at https://westerncape.collaboratoronline.com/ (manual submissions are no longer accepted).
The applicant is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the submission. Incomplete applications will be returned prior to processing.
For support on a step-by-step Guide to Registering on the portal click here
For support on submitting a building plan application click here

Review process

All the necessary documentation and requirements for submissions can be found here or on the Notices tab.
Submitted building plans are circulated to relevant Municipal Departments (e.g., Town Planning, Fire Department, Technical Services etc) for comment and recommendations.
Once all statutory and technical requirements are met, the Building Control Section issues an approval.
No construction work may commence until formal written approval is granted.

Mossel Bay Heritage

The Town of Mossel Bay has a rich story, evident also by the many elegant stone- and other historic buildings. In order to preserve this history in accordance with The National Heritage Resources Act, no 25 of 1999, Mossel Bay Municipality works closely with the Heritage and Aesthetics Committeee. Though the committee is facilitated by the Building Control department, it is comprised of
Ms Carina Wiggill of the Mossel Bay Heritage Society; and
Mr Dawie Nel, Professional Architect.

Any alterations, additions, changes (& new works in demarcated areas) require a permit/approval, including:

Plaster, paint or other decoration
Internal & external alterations & restorations
Landscaping

The Act applies to any building older than 60 years, or demarcated areas with significant heritage value, which includes, but not limited to:

Mosselbaai Dorp
Herbertsdale
Freimersheim
Groot Brak
Tarka

The first survey of structures with heritage value was done in 1984 - The Baumann Report (published by the National Monuments Council) detailed Mossel Bay’s unique building style & structures to be preserved. Later, Conservation Guidelines were published followed by Advertising Guidelines more recently. The latest survey is used for reference during the Committee’s weekly meetings and is available for viewing at the Building Control department.

The Heritage & and Aesthetics Committee meet every Wednesday at 09:00, in the Building Control boardroom, third floor, Montagu Place, 111 Montagu Street, Mossel Bay.

For further information please refer to The Architectural Design Guideline Manual for Mossel Bay and Heritage Western Cape

General Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to submit a plan?
Yes. Please refer to the Building Applications section for more information

Where do I find out what the building lines are for my property?
Please contact Town Planning: 044 606 6290

How long does it take to get my plan approved?
Please refer to this information notice detailing the process. According to the National Building Regulations, the local authority must respond to abuilding plan application within 30 days (for plans of up to 500m²). We do this by either sending a Request for additional information or the approval letter. Please contact your architectural professional if you have not heard from us directly.

Electronic Submissions:

How do I attach a document to a message?
ou can’t. The message serves as a prompt to remove the existing document and upload a revised version or upload additional documentation.

How do I upload revised drawings or documents?
First remove/delete the old version of the document by clicking on the action button. The document that was removed is now required for uploaded again under Outstanding Documents.

I can not register with my company email address.
Only one user can register using a single email address. If there are various users making use of 1 address, different people can log into the same account (with the same email & same password).

Why won’t my selection of the drop-down menu (data source) pull into the application?
Once you have selected the item from a data source, you have to click submit in order for the choice to register.

Why are there multiple documents with the same name after I’ve uploaded my documents?
Because you have uploaded more than 1 PDF file. Every document required should be uploaded in 1 complete PDF file. If revisions are required, remove the entire file and upload a complete new set. You can use these easy apps to manage your PDF’s:
https://www.ilovepdf.com/compress_pdf
https://www.pdfill.com/pdf_tools_free.html

How do I get the Home Owners Association approval onto my plans?
Please refer to this information notice. The municipality has consented that plans can be submitted without HOA approval initially and be approved/stamped once all other requirements have been met. We have however asked all HOA’s to consider switching to an electronic approval system (as some have already done) to accommodate electronic Building Plan Applications.

WOLWEDANS DAM LEVEL %

12 January 2026 - 58.73%.

WATER RESTRICTIONS

MOSSEL BAY MUNICIPALITY

NOTICE: WATER RESTRICTIONS

This confirms water restriction notifications as shared on various platforms as from the 12^th of January 2026.

Notice is given herewith in terms of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, No. 32 of 2000 that in terms of Section 18 of the Water Services By-Law and the Mossel Bay Municipality Water Demand Management Policy that the total available water supply has dropped to between 60% and 50%.

That the following restrictions shall apply as from date of publication of this notice to all users of potable water:

1. Total available supply dropped between 60% and 50%.

1.1 Watering of gardens may only be undertaken for one hour per day between 18:00-19:00, two days per week. No irrigation systems may be used. Even numbered households ONLY Mondays and Thursdays. Uneven numbered households ONLY Tuesdays and Fridays. Watering with a garden hose may only take place if it is hand-held.

1.2 At sports fields, only the watering of cricket pitches, golf course greens and bowling greens is permitted for two hours per day. Tuesday and Friday mornings before 09:00.

1.3 No hosing of roofs, driveways and any other surface and no washing of vehicles with a garden hose will be permitted.

1.4 The filling of swimming pools at households are prohibited.

1.5 Accommodation establishments and hotels must lodge an application with the Municipal Manager for relief in this regard and to fill up their swimming pools.

1.6 Identification of areas with high water pressure and/or high water consumption for the installation of pressure reduction and/or flow lowering devices.

That should water levels continue to drop the following will apply (kindly monitor immediate communication platforms, i.e. our Facebook page, WhatsApp channel, Collab Citizen App and the written media, as bulk e-mails may take up to five days to reach all end-users):

2. Total available supply dropped between 50% and 40%

2.1 No irrigation systems may be used.

2.2 No attached garden hose or automatic irrigation equipment may be used. Watering of gardens only by means of a bucket during the times determined in 1.1 above.

2.3 The approved tariffs for a dam water supply below 50% will apply.

2.4 No hosing of structures, roofs and driveways and no filling of swimming pools.

2.5 Stricter policing and implementation of complaint line and whistleblower’s facility.

2.6 Consultation with bulk consumers in the industrial and business sectors as identified through the billing system.

2.7 Only the watering of golf greens, cricket pitches and bowling greens permitted. The watering of all other types of sports fields are prohibited.

2.8 Identification of areas with high water pressure and/or high consumption for the installation of pressure reduction and flow lowering devices.

2.9 Flow restricting devices will be installed in those households using more than 20kl of water per month and the cost thereof will be for the consumer.

That in terms of the Water Demand Management Policy the Municipal Manager in consultation with the Executive Mayor be authorised to implement or waive the above restrictions and any additional control measures as may be required depending on the circumstances prevailing at the time.

That any contravention of these restrictions be deemed to be an offence in terms of Section 102 of the Mossel Bay Municipality Water Services By-Law and that it be acted upon accordingly.

Any enquiries may be directed to Mr. E Louw on telephone number 044 606 5270, by e-mail: elouw@mosselbay.gov.za or Mr. T van Zyl on telephone number 044 606 5273, by e-mail: tvanzyl@mosselbay.gov.za or fax number 044 606 5062.

C B PUREN

MUNICIPAL MANAGER

KENNISGEWING: WATERBEPERKINGS

Waterbeperkings kennisgewings soos gedeel op verskeie platforms sedert 12 Januarie 2026, word bevestig soos volg:

Hiermee word kennis gegee ingevolge die Wet op Plaaslike Regering: Munisipale Stelsels, Nr. 32 van 2000, dat ingevolge Artikel 18 van die Waterdienste Verordening en die Mosselbaai Munisipaliteit se Beleidsraamwerk vir Watervraagbestuur, die totale beskikbare watervoorsiening gedaal het tot tussen 60% en 50%.

Die volgende beperkings is van toepassing vanaf die datum van publikasie van hierdie kennisgewing op alle gebruikers van drinkbare water:

1. Totale beskikbare watervoorsiening gedaal tussen 60% en 50%

1.1 Tuinbesproeiing mag slegs vir een uur per dag geskied tussen 18:00 en 19:00, twee dae per week. Geen besproeiingstelsels mag gebruik word nie. Huishoudings met ewe nommers: slegs Maandae en Donderdae. Huishoudings met onewe nommers: slegs Dinsdae en Vrydae. Besproeiing met ’n tuinslang mag slegs plaasvind indien dit met die hand gehou word.

1.2 Op sportvelde mag slegs die besproeiing van krieketkolfplate, gholfbaan-greens en rolbal-greens geskied vir twee uur per dag, Dinsdae en Vrydae voor 09:00.

1.3 Geen afspuit van dakke, opritte of enige ander oppervlak, en geen motorwas met ’n tuinslang word toegelaat nie.

1.4 Die vul van swembaddens by huishoudings is verbode.

1.5 Akkommodasie-instellings en hotelle moet ’n aansoek by die Munisipale Bestuurder indien vir verligting in hierdie verband en om hul swembaddens te vul.

1.6 Identifisering van gebiede met hoë waterdruk en/of hoë waterverbruik vir die installering van drukverminderings- en/of vloei-beperkende toestelle.

Sou watervoorsiening verder daal sal die volgende geld (hou asb onmiddellike kommunikasieplatforms soos ons Facebook blad, WhatsApp kanaal, Collab Citizen App en die geskrewe media dop aangesien grootmaat e-pos kennisgewings tot vyf dae mag neem om alle gebruikers te bereik):

2. Totale beskikbare watervoorsiening gedaal tussen 50% en 40%

2.1 Geen besproeiingstelsels mag gebruik word nie.

2.2 Geen aangehegte tuinslang of outomatiese besproeiingstoerusting mag gebruik word nie. Tuinbesproeiing slegs met ’n emmer gedurende die tye soos in 1.1 hierbo bepaal.

2.3 Die goedgekeurde tariewe vir ’n damwatervoorsiening onder 50% sal van toepassing wees.

2.4 Geen afspuit van strukture, dakke en opritte en geen vul van swembaddens nie.

2.5 Strenger polisie-optrede en implementering van klagtelefoonlyn en klokkeluierfasiliteit.

2.6 Konsultasie met grootverbruikers in die nywerheids- en besigheidsektor soos geïdentifiseer deur die faktureringsisteem.

2.7 Slegs die besproeiing van gholf-greens, krieketkolfplate en rolbal-greens word toegelaat. Die besproeiing van alle ander sportvelde is verbode.

2.8 Identifisering van gebiede met hoë waterdruk en/of hoë verbruik vir die installering van drukverminderings- en vloei-beperkende toestelle.

2.9 Vloei-beperkende toestelle sal geïnstalleer word by huishoudings wat meer as 20 kl water per maand gebruik, en die koste daarvan sal vir die verbruiker wees.

Ingevolge die Beleidsraamwerk vir Watervraagbestuur word die Munisipale Bestuurder, in oorleg met die Uitvoerende Burgemeester, gemagtig om bogenoemde beperkings en enige addisionele beheermaatreëls te implementeer of op te hef soos omstandighede dit vereis.

Enige oortreding van hierdie beperkings sal geag word ’n misdryf te wees ingevolge Artikel 102 van die Mosselbaai Munisipaliteit se Waterdienste Verordening en sal dienooreenkomstig hanteer word.

Navrae kan gerig word aan Mnr. E. Louw by telefoonnommer 044 606 5270, per e-pos: elouw@mosselbay.gov.za of Mnr. T. van Zyl by telefoonnommer 044 606 5273, per e-pos: tvanzyl@mosselbay.gov.za of faksnommer 044 606 5062.

C B PUREN
MUNISIPALE BESTUURDER