Who decides
If your property is in Pretoria, Centurion, Tshwane, City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality is the planning authority for township establishment. As a metropolitan municipality it has no district council above it.
| Municipality | City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (metropolitan) |
|---|---|
| Province | Gauteng |
| Land-use scheme | City of Tshwane land use documents (town-planning scheme), unconfirmed |
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 Pretoria include: you are developing a residential estate, business park or mixed-use precinct on raw land.
Areas covered by City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality include Pretoria, Centurion, Tshwane.
The governing documents in City of Tshwane are the City of Tshwane Land Use Management By-law, 2016 (amended 2024) and the City of Tshwane's land use scheme, read with SPLUMA (2013). 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 Tshwane 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 Pretoria?
City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng is the planning authority for Pretoria, Centurion, Tshwane. The exact property location should still be confirmed, as municipal boundaries do not always follow town names.
Is there a district municipality involved in Pretoria?
No. City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality is a metropolitan municipality and handles its own planning applications.
What should I check before starting with township establishment in Pretoria?
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 Tshwane land use documents (town-planning scheme) (as of 2026-10-21)
- City of Tshwane Land Use Management By-law, 2016 (amended 2024) (as of 2026-10-21)