Licences and permits

• Signage, zoning and working from home

  Two permissions that catch small businesses out constantly, because they seem too small to need asking about. Almost every expensive version of this problem is…

  Content Agency25 August 2026

• Selling food: what you need

  The most regulated thing a small business commonly sells, whether that is a restaurant, a home bakery or a market stall. The standard is practical: right…

  Content Agency25 August 2026

• Applying for a municipal business licence

  Not difficult, but slow and sequential — several inspections that must happen in an order, each with its own queue. Plan the opening date around the licence,…

  Content Agency25 August 2026

• Which licences does my business need?

  There is no single business licence in South Africa. Most small businesses need fewer than they fear, and different ones from the ones they expect. Work…

  Content Agency25 August 2026

• How To Find Out If Your Business Requires A Trade License

  Content Agency12 May 2020archive

• Municipal business licence

  Required for food, health and body treatments, and public entertainment.

  your municipalityonce, then renewal

• Zoning consent

  The property must be zoned for what you intend to do on it.

  your municipalityonce

• Certificate of acceptability

  Required to handle food for sale — restaurant, home bakery or market stall alike.

  environmental healthonce, then inspection

A general description, not legal advice — requirements and thresholds change. Confirm the current position with the authority named.

• Signage68
• Food10

• Government—
• Legal—