REZONING IN PRETORIA 

Rezoning is the process of altering the existing zoning of a particular piece of land within Pretoria. It’s a powerful tool that guides the city’s growth and development. Whether you’re a homeowner, developer, or simply interested in Pretoria’s future, understanding rezoning is essential.

Pretoria, like many South African cities, is constantly evolving. The process of rezoning plays a crucial role in shaping the growth and expansion of Pretoria. 

WHY REZONE?

There are several reasons why a property owner would want to rezone a property in Pretoria. Some general reasons include:

• Changing of land use: A change in the use of the property; for example, if a residential area is to be converted into a business property, rezoning is necessary to legally allow the business development. A rezoning can also be catered to the specific needs of the property owner.

• Economic benefit: Pretoria is always experiencing growth. Rezoning may be necessary to attract economic development and investments in a particular area where the property is situated. It allows for the creation of new businesses, industries, and job opportunities, leading to increased economic growth.

• City growth: A rezoning can help manage population growth for an area or city like Pretoria by allowing the construction of additional housing stock or higher-density development in areas typically experiencing increased demand. It ensures that the zoning regulations are in line with the changing demographics. In Pretoria, popular areas such as Lynnwood and Waterkloof have seen a massive increase in the number of rezoning applications over the last decade.

• Enhanced property value: Changing the zoning of a property to allow for higher density or mixed-use developments can contribute to an increase in the market value of the property.

• Maximizing Land Potential: The rezoning of a property in Pretoria can enable property owners to make the most efficient use of their land. This typically caters to a growing market and economic growth in order to meet changing social needs and requirements by introducing new types of developments.

• Creating opportunities: The rezoning of a property in Pretoria can attract developers and investors who are interested in capitalizing on future possibilities for long-term growth.

UNDERSTANDING PRETORIA’S ZONING RULES AND POLICIES 

Before applying for rezoning, familiarize yourself with the City of Tshwane’s Land Use Management By laws, City of Tshwane Town Planning Scheme 2008 (Revised 2014) and the Regional Spatial Development Framework. These documents outline the permitted uses within different zones (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) and provide a blueprint for Pretoria’s development.

It is advised that you make contact with a Professional Town Planner as these documents can be a daunting and overwhelming task to make sense of before starting your rezoning journey. 

THE REZONING PROCESS FOR PRETORIA 

The Rezoning Process in Pretoria is subject to each requirement of the City of Tshwane Municipality and the City of Tshwane Land Use Management By-Law, 2016 that provides requirements for a Rezoning Application and the Rezoning Process for Pretoria. The following process is generally applicable for a rezoning application in Pretoria:

• Inquiry Stage: The landowner or developer interested in rezoning the property contact a Professional Town Planner. Basic information should be provided for the purpose of the proposed rezoning. The appointed Town Planner will conduct a desktop assessment to determine if the proposed rezoning aligns with Council Policies.

• Pre-Application Consultation Stage: A meeting is typically arranged with the municipality’s town planning department and Consulting Town Planner. During this meeting, the potential rezoning is discussed, and the municipality provides guidance on the viability of the proposal based on Council Policies. The Pre-Application can also be provided in a written format subject and is subject to Council requirements. A Pre-Application process is helpful ass it will give guidance if the rezoning proposal will be supported in principle. It also provides the property owner with transparency and assurance that the proposal will be supported in principle and eliminates the risk of receiving a rezoning refusal in the process. In Pretoria, this stage is not necessarily required. A Pre-consultation process is recommended for complex land use proposals that might require input from City Planning or other Services Departments. 

• Formal Application Stage: Once the landowner or developer decides to proceed with the rezoning, a formal application needs to be submitted to the City of Tshwane, compiled by a competent and professional town planner. This application includes various documents and payment of the relevant application fees. It is always advised that a professional and competent town planner compile the application.

• Public Participation Stage: After submission of the application, the appointed town planner must attend to the public participation process. In Pretoria, the public participation process runs for a period of 28 days in order to allow any infested and affected party sufficient time to comment on or object to the application. Notifications consist of advertisements in the government gazette, local newspapers, notification via registered mail, and on-site placard notices. In Pretoria, the placard notice needs to be maintained for a period of 14 days. Comments and/or objections from residents should be specifically addressed to the municipality.

• Technical Assessment Stage: In Pretoria, each department of the City of Tshwane Municipality must provide comments on the proposed rezoning application. The municipality may also request comments and input from External or Provincial Department depending on the nature and location of the proposed rezoning application.

• Evaluation Stage: As soon as input from all the respective and required departments has been received, can the responsible town planner at Council evaluate the proposed rezoning application? The municipality will make a decision on the application. This decision could include approving the rezoning, approval subject to certain conditions, refusal of the rezoning, or referring it back to the applicant for further information or amendments.

• Compliance Stage: Once a rezoning application is approved, the application will, in most cases, be subject to certain conditions. It remains the responsibility of the owner to ensure that all the conditions are met based on the rezoning condition requirements. An example can be the payment of bulk contributions to the municipality. Once all the conditions have been met, a zoning certificate can be issued by the municipality with the newly applied zoning. In Pretoria, the compliance part is normally referred to as the PCP application.

• Implementation stage: After a compliance stage is completed, the property owner or developer can proceed with implementing the proposed changes in land use subject to compliance with the rezoning conditions set by the municipality and obtaining relevant building plans and permits.

GUIDELINES FOR A SUCCESSFUL REZONING APPLICATION

• Align with City Goals: Demonstrate how your proposal supports Pretoria’s overall development strategies found in documents like the Regional Spatial Development Framework (SDF). Applications that are not in line with the RSDF vision and proposal have a considerable chance of being refused. 

• Professional Team: A qualified town planner can guide you through the complex process and advocate on your behalf.

• Community Engagement: Proactively communicate with neighbors and address concerns, potentially minimizing objections.

Contact Urban Arrow to rezone your Pretoria property. 

Please note: This is a general guide. Specific requirements and procedures can vary. Always consult with a Qualified and Professional Town Planner for the most up-to-date information and personalized advice.