Business Licencing
Anyone who wishes to open an accommodation or entertainment establishment, or a food outlet in eThekwini has to register with the Business Licencing Department.

The purpose of this department is to ensure that all businesses in these sectors in the eThekwini municipal area comply with the Business Act, 1991 (Act No. 71 of 1991) which states that no person/ business may conduct a business without a business licence.  Businesses who fail to comply with the legislation, by trading without a licence and thereby contravening their licence conditions, will be prosecuted.  IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE TO TRADE WITHOUT A LICENCE.  Members of the public are therefore urged to obtain a business licence before they open their businesses.

There are different requirements for opening a business. For accommodation establishments the applicant needs to complete an application for an accommodation establishment, get special consent from the Town Planning Department, and have Title Deeds and Electrical Compliance Certificates.  A copy of the business owner’s identity document is also required.

Entertainment establishment applicants must complete the provision of health or entertainment form. For food establishments, applications must complete a sale or supply of meal or perishable foodstuffs form. They will need to have the original landlord’s signed consent, consent from the Town Planning Department, relevant documents if applying under a company, copies of the members identity documents and a proxy letter for a person to submit/sign on behalf of the company.

The licences are valid for as long as the business is in operation. It is renewable once a year by the end of January. A business licence is issued subject to all the requirements being met and if the applicant complies with the requirements of all the units, including health and fire requirements. Tariffs are subject to change every financial year.

The Licencing Department also makes provision for amendments of a licence issued, or of a condition on the endorsement.
For more information contact the Business Licencing Unit on 031 311 4535.

Application Forms
Accommodation Application Form
Annual Notification Form
Business Licensing Application Form
Certificate of Acceptability for Food Premises
Event Application Requirements
Fire Event Food Stallholder Application Form
Provision of Health Facilities or Entertainment

Contact details

Address: 7th Floor, Embassy Building

199 Anton Lembede Street, Durban

Tel: 031 311 4535

Please note business license renewals, new applications, duplicate license application and amendments can also be completed online via eThekwini’s eServices on (https://eservices.durban.gov.za/v2/)