Question about building stuff

Zoomzoom

Zoomzoom

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So if you live on a farm you can build what you like, where you like, but if you live on anything smaller you can't.

So when is a plot deemed too small (or location, or whatever the criteria is) for the municipality to start wanting building plans?

Basically at what point between farm and suburbs do the government start butting in on what you can do?


Related ... if a house/structure is 'temporary' you don't need plans, what is deemed to be temporary?
 
It has to do with zoning. Check with the municipality what zone the area is. They will also have the rules and regulations for the zone. Temporary = Must be able to be easily moved or removed. Shadecloth with gum poles will probably be temporary. Again, check and confirm with the municipality. Don't build, and then check.

If it has a solid roof over it needs to have an approved plan and it needs to be constructed within the building line setbacks for the property or, in the case of a garage or car port, consent from your neighbour.
 
RedViking said:
It has to do with zoning. Check with the municipality what zone the area is. They will also have the rules and regulations for the zone. Temporary = Must be able to be easily moved or removed. Shadecloth with gum poles will probably be temporary. Again, check and confirm with the municipality. Don't build, and then check.

If it has a solid roof over it needs to have an approved plan and it needs to be constructed within the building line setbacks for the property or, in the case of a garage or car port, consent from your neighbour.
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Therein lies the rub. SO fed up with this nonsense. We have a massive housing shortage in SA but there are so many roadblocks to actually building anything that isn't regulated. I don't understand it. If you live virtually anywhere else in the world there are almost no restrictions on basic shelters - you can build out of any material and so long as you are happy it isn't going to fall on your head, no-one cares. Here there is interference and regulation on regulation which make it impossible to provide for yourself.
 
What utter bollocks.

Building is regulated just about EVERYWHERE because of it being a safety hazard to human beings.

Regulation prevents death.

Everyone cares. It’s to stop you killing your self and others because you think you can just DIY a building and hope for the best.
 
Zoomzoom said:
Therein lies the rub. SO fed up with this nonsense. We have a massive housing shortage in SA but there are so many roadblocks to actually building anything that isn't regulated. I don't understand it. If you live virtually anywhere else in the world there are almost no restrictions on basic shelters - you can build out of any material and so long as you are happy it isn't going to fall on your head, no-one cares. Here there is interference and regulation on regulation which make it impossible to provide for yourself.
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It is for this reason that they have rules and regulation.

Rubbish. If there was no regulations in SA the houses you buy and build quality would have been worse junk than it is now. You want a shack in town?

They should stop the corruption and up the regulations.
 
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So sorry if I look at these and other examples of houses built from recycled materials or alternative methods and long for my own home, and feel frustrated at the ridiculous obstacles in the way.

Unless I am rich enough to buy a farm, I have no hope. And FYI I am white, female and just want my own damn house.
 
Crap. You really are thinking of squatting in town. Just send your neighbours a warning and some photos so they can sell their homes before it looses vallue.


Also, there are actually standards for alternative building, including sand bags and bottles and what is known as green building. It's not necessarily cheaper though. Will probably cost you more.

You want to go cheap (and sorry later) . Use concrete blocks, plaster it and use those cheap rubbish supper thin corrugated shests with a reflection you can see from the moon.

They use the same regulations, whether you are white or black, so you don't have to worry about that.


PS. You'll enjoy the Philippines. Beautiful country, beautiful people, and you can build what you want.
 
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Zoomzoom said:
Related ... if a house/structure is 'temporary' you don't need plans, what is deemed to be temporary?
Click to expand...

My uncle built an 11m carport and his neighbor reported him to the municipality for not submitting plans. When the building inspector approached him to have it remove or to have plans submitted, he pointed to the bolts and nuts at all the joints and said that it was a temporary structure. The inspector just smiled, said goodbye and was on his way :)
 
TheFriendlyGhost said:
My uncle built an 11m carport and his neighbor reported him to the municipality for not submitting plans. When the building inspector approached him to have it remove or to have plans submitted, he pointed to the bolts and nuts at all the joints and said that it was a temporary structure. The inspector just smiled, said goodbye and was on his way :)
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Sadly that shows how corrupt the municipalities are. He also paid the inspector a 'fee'.... Corrupt culture.
 
RedViking said:
Sadly that shows how corrupt the municipalities are. He also paid the inspector a 'fee'.... Corrupt culture.
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Actually not. You do not require plans for a temporary structure - erecting that entire carport without a single weld made it temporary. Genius way to exploit a loophole. It's the same with vacant land. if you own a piece of land, get plans and build a single room with a toilet and it is not considered vacant land any more and then your rates comes down drastically
 
TheFriendlyGhost said:
Actually not. You do not require plans for a temporary structure - erecting that entire carport without a single weld made it temporary. Genius way to exploit a loophole. It's the same with vacant land. if you own a piece of land, get plans and build a single room with a toilet and it is not considered vacant land any more and then your rates comes down drastically
Click to expand...
You can call it what you want. Nothing genius about bribery. It is very clear that a structure with a solid roof and higher than 1.8 (or 2 meters, just check), needs approval. If it is on the boundary, you need permission from the neighbour.
 
RedViking said:
You can call it what you want. Nothing genius about bribery. It is very clear that a Permanent structure with a solid roof and higher than 1.8 (or 2 meters, just check), needs approval. If it is on the boundary, you need permission from the neighbour.
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FTFY

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