As from 1 July, every estate agent and auctioneer will be required to register individually with the municipality for permission to display property marketing boards and directional signage on Council property.  Previously, only the agency or auction company had to register.

Each agent will now be required to pay an annual registration fee of R551 and a display fee of R659 per annum (including VAT).

Upon registration, the City will issue a maximum of six permit stickers per agent for the year, thus limiting to six the number of directional ‘show house’ signs allowed on Council property.

Each sticker, which is uniquely numbered, is to be displayed on any directional board for the duration of the year. Faded or damaged stickers will be replaced at no extra cost on production of the spoilt originals.

The standard conditions for directional boards will still apply. Signs displayed on the private property being marketed, and not exceeding 0.3m² will not require permit stickers.

“With Cape Town’s property boom, the City was inundated with complaints from the public about the proliferation of property marketing signs.  The municipalities of Johannesburg and Pretoria have actually banned such signage in certain areas,” says Debbie Evans, Development Control Officer of the City’s Environmental Control Section.

“While some estate agents respected the municipal rules, others simply ignored them. Advertising boards were getting bigger and signage continued to be displayed long past their removal date.

“The City employs six sub-contractors to remove illegal boards.  The previous charge of R110 per board has been raised to R132 for a standard sized board, and more for an outsized board.  If the agent is unregistered, an additional 100% surcharge is payable.

"The City can withdraw permission to display signage until all outstanding charges have been paid,” says Ms Evans.

Agents who register between 15 June and 1 July 2007 will get their six stickers included in the old registration fee of R524,40.  Registration forms are available from all municipal offices.  For electronic copies, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 021 400-3147.