Who decides
Township establishment matters for property in Germiston and surrounding areas are dealt with by City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, in Gauteng. As a metropolitan municipality it has no district council above it.
| Municipality | City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (metropolitan) |
|---|---|
| Province | Gauteng |
| Land-use scheme | City of Ekurhuleni Land Use Scheme, 2021 (CELUS, 8 May 2024 version), 2021, 8 May 2024 version |
Local requirements
The aim of township establishment is to establish a new township on undeveloped or agricultural land. Common situations in Gauteng towns such as Germiston include: you are developing a residential estate, business park or mixed-use precinct on raw land.
Areas covered by City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality include Ekurhuleni, Benoni, Boksburg, Germiston, Kempton Park.
In City of Ekurhuleni, these applications are governed by the City of Ekurhuleni Spatial Planning and Land Use Management By-law, read with SPLUMA (2013) and the City of Ekurhuleni Land Use Scheme, 2021 (CELUS). Depending on the category of application, the decision is taken by an authorised official or the Municipal Planning Tribunal, with appeals to the City's appeal authority. Fees, required documents and timeframes are set by City of Ekurhuleni and change from time to time, so they are confirmed for each matter.
When you may need it
- You are developing a residential estate, business park or mixed-use precinct on raw land
- An existing agricultural holding is to be urbanised
The broad process
- Feasibility and policy review
- Specialist studies and layout
- Application, participation and evaluation
- Approval and fulfilment of pre-proclamation conditions
- General plan, opening of township register and proclamation
Documents commonly required
- Copy of the title deed (later stage, not at enquiry)
- Surveyor-General diagram or general plan
- Zoning certificate or current land-use information
- Power of attorney and owner consent where applicable
- Specialist reports as required by the municipality and other authorities
What affects cost
- Professional planning fees for preparation and motivation
- Municipal application fees set by the relevant municipality
- Advertising and notice costs where public participation is required
- Specialist reports (for example traffic, engineering services or environmental)
- Engineering, environmental, geotechnical and survey professionals
Professional fees, municipal application fees, advertising and specialist costs are quoted separately for each matter. Timeframes depend on completeness, objections, specialist work and municipal processing.
Questions
Which municipality handles township establishment in Germiston?
City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng is the planning authority for Ekurhuleni, Benoni, Boksburg, Germiston, Kempton Park. The exact property location should still be confirmed, as municipal boundaries do not always follow town names.
Is there a district municipality involved in Germiston?
No. City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality is a metropolitan municipality and handles its own planning applications.
What should I check before starting with township establishment in Germiston?
Useful starting points are: Copy of the title deed (later stage, not at enquiry); Surveyor-General diagram or general plan; Zoning certificate or current land-use information. Title deed conditions, servitudes and previous approvals should also be checked.
Sources
- City of Ekurhuleni Spatial Planning and Land Use Management By-law (as of 2026-10-21)
- City of Ekurhuleni Land Use Scheme, 2021 (CELUS, 8 May 2024 version) (as of 2026-10-21)