Carports, patio roofs and lapas are where most people find out the hard way that "small" does not mean "no plans". Some of them count as minor building work, which the council can exempt from full plans. Many do not, and the line depends on the size, where on the stand it goes, and the council.
Minor building work
The building regulations let a council exempt minor building work from the full plan process, and Gauteng councils run their own forms and rules for it. Even when work is exempt, it still has to meet the regulations, and it still has to respect building lines.
When full plans are needed
- The structure is bigger than the council's minor-work limit
- It is closer to a boundary than the building line allows
- It is attached to the house in a way that changes the structure
- It is enclosed, which turns a carport into a garage and a patio into a room
Our "do I need plans" pages go through each one with the rule behind it.