Business licences and permits

A business licence is generally required for businesses that need to comply with health and safety regulations. You’ll have to apply for the licence if your business falls into one of the following categories:

• if your business produces food which that can go off,
• if you provide health or entertainment activities (including businesses offering saunas, massages, snooker, billiards, slot machines, night clubs, and cinemas).

Food provision

If your business sells or supplies meals or perishable food to eat on the premises or to take away, you’ll need a licence to do so.

Health and entertainment facilities 

You need a licence if:

• your business provides turkish baths, saunas or other types of baths;
• provides massage and/or infra-red treatment;
• provides the services of an escort;
• keeps three or more mechanical, electronic or electrical devices (coin-operated gaming appliances);
• keeps three or more snooker or billiard tables;
• keeps or conducts a nightclub or discotheque;
• keeps or conducts a cinema or theatre; or
• conducts an adult premises in terms of Section 24 of the Films and Publications Act, 1996.

Hawkers 

If you’re a hawker selling food and meals, which you take from place to place or sell from a vehicle, you’ll need a permit. Find out more about informal trading permits.
 
Where do I apply for a business licence?

Your local municipality handles business licences and you can contact them for details on licensing procedures and the various health and safety regulations required for different kinds of business.

Depending on the type of business, you may need to comply with the following requirements:

• Zoning
• Health
• Safety (particularly fire)

If you comply with all the requirements, you will be issued with a licence. If not, you can apply for a 14-day grace period, during which you can make changes to your premises so that they meet the requirements. For more information, visit our Business Licences page to find out how you can get in contact your local municipality. 

Selling liquor

If you want to sell or manufacture liquor, the law requires you to apply for a liquor licence before you do. Here’s what you need to know to apply for a liquor licence in the Western Cape.