Joburg issues 300 compliance notices to property owners

OVER the past four months, January to April, the City of Joburg’s department of development planning has issued close to 300 compliance notices to property owners who have erected illegal structures without approved building plans.

The department has building inspection teams across the city whose main function is to ensure that all formal construction within the city follows the National Building Regulations and conforms to the conditions of the approved building plans.

Should a property owner start building without approved plans, they will be issued with a notice informing them of their contravention.

The owner must stop building immediately and submit plans to the city for approval, within 30 days.

Should the owner fail to comply with the notice, rates penalties may be imposed, and the matter will be referred to the department of development planning single law enforcement unit for legal processes to commence.

This may lead to the demolition of the illegal structure.

The same applies to owners who deviate from approved plans during construction, as a notice can be issued by the inspectors informing the property owner of the deviation, with steps to be taken to rectify the deviation.

Development planning MMC Belinda Echeozonjoku has noted with concern the continued contravention of the city’s by-laws and national legislation.

“The department will continue to enforce both national legislation and its by-laws, and it is imperative that residents, property owners and businesses comply so as to avoid penalties and fines, which will ultimately eat into the pockets of property owners and delay work,” she warned.

Echeozonjoku said the department of development planning would soon embark on a public awareness campaign, starting with identified hot-spot areas to educate residents, property owner and businesses. “The city does not intend to punish property owners and developers. We are a business-friendly city, but all of that must be done within the parameters of the law.

“We are hoping that these public awareness campaigns will assist to educate property owners and point them in the right direction. Development planning officials are always available and willing to advise on building and land-use matters,” she said. |