Tavern owners to abide with the city policies and bylaws

The city of Ekurhuleni urges all tavern owners to abide by its rules and regulations to ensure a properly constructed environment and community land use compliance.

Among other regulatory requirements are the Town Planning Scheme 2021, the Gauteng Liquor Act (Act 2 of 2003), the National Building Regulations and Building Standard Act 103 of 1977 as amended, and the Spatial Planning Land Use Management Bylaw 2019.

According to the spokesperson of Ekurhuleni, Zweli Dlamini, CoE has found that unapproved land uses result in problems with security, the growth of illegal land use activities in inappropriate locations and the structural safety of buildings risking the safety of customers and neighbours.

He further said that these unapproved land uses result in noise pollution, and the unauthorised use of municipal services, which has an impact on infrastructure maintenance and costs.

“It must be noted that tavern applications can be considered to operate where the residential or business property has rights, and the building plan follows building regulations. It is illegal for property owners to commence the operation of selling liquor and entertain patrons from a property that has no land use rights,” Zweli said.

The number of restrooms (health) and fire safety (escape routes, emergency warning) is also important factors in approving applications for taverns.

The city encourages tavern owners to get in touch with the town planning and building control department at their local customer care centre for more information on how to regularise current taverns and apply for new taverns.

Inspectors will keep an eye on compliance all over the city and will issue violation notices when land users don’t follow the policies and by-laws of the city.

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