Who decides
Agricultural matters for property in Grahamstown and surrounding areas are dealt with by Makana Local Municipality, in Eastern Cape. It forms part of the Sarah Baartman District, but the district municipality is not assumed to decide these applications.
| Municipality | Makana Local Municipality (local) |
|---|---|
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| District | Sarah Baartman |
Local requirements
"Agricultural" is a broad guide category: zones for farming and rural land, often subject to national agricultural controls as well. Property owners in Grahamstown often ask: Can I subdivide my farm??
Areas covered by Makana Local Municipality include Grahamstown. Neighbouring municipalities in the Sarah Baartman District, such as Blue Crane Route, Dr Beyers Naudé, Kou-Kamma, Kouga, Ndlambe, Sundays River Valley, are separate planning authorities with their own by-laws and schemes, so the correct municipality must be confirmed from the property's location.
Applications are made under Makana Local Municipality's Municipal Planning By-law, read with SPLUMA (2013) and the applicable land use scheme. Decisions are taken by an authorised official or the Municipal Planning Tribunal, with appeals to the appeal authority. Fees, documents and timeframes are set by Makana Local Municipality and change from time to time, so they are confirmed for each matter.
What to check for your property
- The property's zoning as recorded by the municipality (zoning certificate or official map)
- The exact wording of the applicable land-use scheme for that zone
- Title deed conditions, which can be stricter than the zoning
- Overlay zones, heritage or environmental controls and servitudes
- Any previous approvals and conditions attached to the property
- Whether the land is subject to national agricultural-land controls
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 agricultural in Grahamstown?
Makana Local Municipality in Eastern Cape is the planning authority for Grahamstown. The exact property location should still be confirmed, as municipal boundaries do not always follow town names.
Does the Sarah Baartman District Municipality decide agricultural applications?
Not by default. Under SPLUMA, local municipalities such as Makana Local Municipality are their own planning authorities for most land-use applications.
What should I check before starting with agricultural in Grahamstown?
Useful starting points are: The property's zoning as recorded by the municipality (zoning certificate or official map); The exact wording of the applicable land-use scheme for that zone; Title deed conditions, which can be stricter than the zoning. Title deed conditions, servitudes and previous approvals should also be checked.