Do I need building plans for a carport?

The national rule

The building regulations list "an open-sided car, caravan or boat shelter or a carport not exceeding 40 m²" as minor building work. That means the council's building control officer may exempt it from full plans, but you have to apply for that authorisation before building.

One version needs nothing at all under the national regulations: an open-sided, fabric-covered shelter for a car, caravan or boat (a shade port). Johannesburg still lists carports as plan submissions, so confirm with your council before relying on this.

In Gauteng

• Johannesburg lists carports as a building plan submission category on CPMS, with its own checklist.
• Tshwane charges R920 per application (2025/26) for a minor building work exemption.
• Ekurhuleni charges R647.07 per building plan for minor building works (2026/27), plus the certificate of occupation fee.

When it definitely needs plans

• It is bigger than 40 m², or it has walls on more than two sides (then it is a garage)
• It crosses a building line, or pushes the stand over its coverage limit
• It is fixed to the house in a way that loads the existing structure

SACAP's 2026 Scope of Practice Matrix rates freestanding carports and private garages as low-complexity work open to all four registration categories. The notice's own summary table for draughtspersons does not list them, so a draughtsperson may want to confirm with SACAP.

Questions people ask