Ever questioned why the landscape in your area is the way it is? It’s possible that you’ve become annoyed trying to figure out what construction or land use is allowed or not on your land or in your neighborhood. A document known as the Tshwane Town-Planning Scheme 2008 (revised 2014) has the solution.

The Rulebook for Pretoria

Think of the Town-Planning Scheme as Pretoria’s development rulebook. The Tshwane Town Planning Scheme gives function to the following:  

• Building Restrictions (such as building lines, height, 
• Types of Land Use allowed: Whether it’s houses, apartments, shops, factories, or parks.
• Guidelines for certain applications (such as permission or consent use applications) 
• Building Rules: How tall buildings can be, how close they sit to the street

What is included in the Tshwane Town Planning Scheme:

The Tshwane Town Planning scheme consist of the following parts and sections: 

• Streets, Building Lines and Building Restriction
• Use of Building Lines and Building Restriction dings and Land
• Development Conditions 
• Parking provision 
• Amenity in and of the Environment and Appearance of Buildings.
• General Conditions 
• Schedules 

Why should you care? 

• Your property: The Scheme influences what you can do with your land or property.  Do you want to add a granny flat, running a home-based business or want to extend your house towards the boundary? The Tshwane Town Planning scheme and zoning rules will tell you if that’s even possible.

• The Tshwane Town Planning Tshwane Town-Planning Scheme 2008 (Revised 2014) affects all land and buildings within the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. 
• The Tshwane Town Planning Tshwane Town-Planning Scheme 2008 (Revised 2014) gives the City of Tshwane authority to enforce the provisions of the Town Planning Scheme. 

• Your Neighbourhood: Understanding the Town Planning Scheme can help you understand what might be built next door. 

Understanding the Zone 

The zoning of your land is among the Town Planning Scheme’s most crucial components. 

This is a condensed example of the types of zoning found in the Tshwane Town Planning Scheme 2008 (Revised 2014): 

• Residential 1: Single-family homes make up the majority of the homes in your neighborhood. 
• Business 4: This area is permitted for offices or medication centers 
• Industrial: Designated for usage in factories and related entities. Consider the regions that are not in the heart of Pretoria.

The town planning scheme also places restrictions on aspects like the maximum height of structures and the setbacks allowed—the distance that buildings can be from your property line or neighbour. 

Land Use Applications 

The Tshwane Town-Planning Scheme 2008 (Revised 2014) isn’t set in stone. Zoning can change, and that can sometimes impact property values, either positively or negatively. That’s why it’s crucial to stay informed:

• Check your neighbourhood for site notices about land use applications for rezoning or consent use applications ‘
• Participate in community groups and make your voice heard about proposed changes.

Where can I obtain the document? 

The City of Tshwane website should offer a lot of streamlined information to get you started, even if the Tshwane Town-Planning Scheme is a large document. If you have any special questions about your property, don’t be afraid to get in touch with a Town Planner in Pretoria. 

Contact Urban Arrow to find out more about the Tshwane Town-Planning Scheme

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.