The minor building work rule for walls only covers walls that do not retain soil. A retaining wall needs plans (a very low garden edge is for the council to decide), and because retaining walls fail differently from garden walls, an engineer normally designs it. Johannesburg lists boundary walls, freestanding or retaining, as a plan submission category.
Under SACAP's 2026 rules, boundary walls, fences and retaining walls are work any registered category may draw. The engineering design is separate.
Sources
- SANS 10400-A:2010, Regulations A1 and A2 (minor building work)
- City of Johannesburg CPMS submission checklists (minor works list)
- SACAP Board Notice 901 of 2026, Identification of Work
Checked October 2026. Councils change their tariffs every July, so confirm fees before you pay.