BUSINESS NEWS - The registration of any business operating in a municipal area at their local municipality is compulsory. This also pertains to informal traders.

George Municipality has once again urged all businessowners to become compliant by applying for their business licence now.

The deadline for spaza shops, house shops and other food premises to register has been extended to 28 February 2026. Detailed information on how to apply for a business licence and the specific requirements for spaza shops, is available here.

All businesses mentioned below or who conduct businesses as below must apply for a business licence:

1. Sale or supply of meals or perishable foodstuffs

The carrying on of business by the sale or supply to consumers of -

• any foodstuff in the form of meals for consumption on or off the business premises; or
• any perishable foodstuffs.

2. Health establishments

The carrying on of business by

• providing Turkish baths, saunas or other health baths;
• providing massage or infrared treatment;
• making the services of an escort, whether male or female, available to any other person.

3. Entertainment

The carrying on of business by

• keeping three or more mechanical, electronic, or electrical contrivances, instruments, apparatus or devices which are designed or used for the purpose of the playing of any game or for the purpose of recreation or amusement, and the operation which involves the payment of any valuable consideration, either by the insertion of a coin, token coin or disc therein or in an appliance attached thereto or in any other manner;

• keeping three or more snooker or billiard tables;
• keeping or conducting a night club or discotheque;
• keeping or conducting a cinema or theatre.

4. Hawking in meals or perishable foodstuffs

The carrying on of business, whether as principal, employee or agent, by selling any foodstuff in the form of meals or any perishable foodstuff

• which is conveyed from place to place, whether by vehicle or otherwise;
• on a public road or at any other place accessible to the public; or
• in, on or from a movable structure or stationery vehicle; unless the business is conveyed by a licence for a business referred to in item 1 of this Schedule

How to apply for a business licence?

An application form must be completed, which can be obtained at the George Municipality, Department for Environmental Services situated at 82 Meade Street, George and at the municipal offices in Uniondale.

The application fee for a business licence and an entertainment licence is R 74,20. The fee for a hawker’s licence is R 30,36. The application fee is not refundable.

The following documents must be submitted with the application:

1. Fully completed and signed application form and proof of payment.
2. Copy of certified ID or passport.
3. Copy of certified certificate of acceptability (COA).
4. Copy of the municipal account where the business is operated.
5. Site plan indicating where the premises is located. The site plan must indicate details of the type of structure or the building from which business is conducted.
6. Proof of ownership or permission to utilise business premises.
7. Business registration with the CIPC.

The processing of the application will take up to thirty (30) working days before an outcome will be available. Note that the municipality may refuse the application.

Various requirements that pertain to building plans and zoning apply and are available from the municipality. 

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