It depends on the council. Johannesburg is fully online, Tshwane is part of the way there, and most of the rest still want plans handed in at a counter.
| Council | Building plans online? | What we found |
|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg | Yes, only online | CPMS, which does not close after office hours. Only SACAP-registered professionals can submit. |
| Tshwane | In some regions | NAPS on e-Tshwane, launched December 2024 in Regions 1 and 4 |
| Ekurhuleni | No | Handed in at a regional office. A 2021 pilot let some offices take plans on a flash drive. |
| Mogale City | No | Hand delivered at the Furncity Building, Krugersdorp |
| Midvaal, Emfuleni, Rand West, Merafong, Lesedi | Not that we could find | No online or email submission published. Phone the office first. |
Johannesburg: CPMS
Everything runs on the Construction Permit Management System at cpms.joburg.org.za: building plans, site development plans, section 7(6) applications, hoarding and demolition permits. You pay by EFT and upload the proof, track the application online, and the stamped approved plans come back through the system. Only SACAP-registered professionals can submit, so homeowners go through whoever draws their plans. CPMS support: cpmssupport@mfundopedia.co.za.
Tshwane: NAPS on e-Tshwane
Tshwane's New Applications Processing System went live in December 2024 as a pilot in Region 1 (Akasia, Soshanguve) and Region 4 (Centurion). The city said the other regions would follow once connectivity and hardware were in place. We found no statement since then saying which other regions are on it, so if your property is in Pretoria North, the east or the inner city, ask the region before assuming.
On e-Tshwane you register with a municipal account number, then submit through the land development applications: building plans, site development plans, demolitions, rezoning and additional dwelling permission, with online tracking. e-Tshwane support: support@e-tshwane.co.za, 0861 444 779.
What you can already get by email or online
- SG diagrams: free to download from the Surveyor-General's online records, or by email from the Gauteng office (sgdatagp@dlrrd.gov.za). See how to get an SG diagram.
- Tshwane zoning certificate: the city says to request it by email at geoinfoservice@tshwane.gov.za. See zoning certificates.
- Johannesburg zoning certificate: by email through the city's e-Property Information Service, once you have an account.
- Zoning maps: Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni all have online maps you can search by erf.
What this means for you
Where a council is online, the plans can be submitted and followed up without anyone driving to an office. Where it is not, someone has to take them in. Either way, the submission is the professional's job, not yours.
Questions people ask
Can I submit building plans online in Pretoria?
Tshwane's NAPS system on e-Tshwane started in Regions 1 (Akasia, Soshanguve) and 4 (Centurion) in December 2024, with other regions to follow. Check with your region whether it is on NAPS yet.
Can a homeowner submit plans on CPMS in Johannesburg?
No. Only SACAP-registered professionals can submit on CPMS. The person who draws your plans submits them.
Can I email building plans to the council?
We found no Gauteng council that publishes email as a way to submit building plans. Some documents, like Tshwane zoning certificates and SG diagrams, can be requested by email.
Sources
- City of Tshwane: NAPS launch statement
- City of Tshwane: land and building applications on e-Tshwane
- City of Tshwane: land development (zoning certificates)
- CPMS FAQs (City of Johannesburg)
- CPMS contacts
- Ekurhuleni: digital submission of building plans (2021)
- Ekurhuleni: building and developing FAQ
- Mogale City: building development
- Chief Surveyor-General: data and online documents
- City of Johannesburg e-Property information service, 2026/27
Checked October 2026. Councils change their tariffs every July, so confirm fees before you pay.