Heard about OccuMax® pricing?
You can earn up to 30% more with our unique pricing strategy. Developed from managing over 350,000 bookings, it runs entirely within local regulations and has already earned our hosts over £112 Million.
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FIND OUT MOREYou can earn up to 30% more with our unique pricing strategy. Developed from managing over 350,000 bookings, it runs entirely within local regulations and has already earned our hosts over £112 Million.
No province-wide definition; municipalities generally treat short-stay as visitor/tourist accommodation, and in Cape Town “transient guests” are stays of 30 days or less.
Short-term lets are legal across the Western Cape, but there is no province-wide register or night cap. Planning is municipal: each council’s scheme sets where “tourist/visitor accommodation” or “transient guests” are allowed and when consent is needed. The Western Cape Land Use Planning Act (LUPA) provides the provincial framework, while City of Cape Town and other municipalities apply their own by-laws and zoning rules. There is no provincial tourist tax; TOMSA is a voluntary 1% industry levy. Keep basic fire-safety measures in place and install working smoke alarms; the Western Cape Government runs a province-wide smoke-alarm programme. Declare income to SARS; VAT applies only if you are a registered vendor for “commercial accommodation.”
Defined in municipal planning schemes (often as ‘transient/visitor accommodation’). Thresholds vary; some councils use ~30 days as a guide. Check local scheme.
Short-term lets are legal across the Western Cape, but there is no province-wide register or night cap. Planning is municipal: each council’s scheme sets where “tourist/visitor accommodation” or “transient guests” are allowed and when consent is needed. The Western Cape Land Use Planning Act (LUPA) provides the provincial framework, while City of Cape Town and other municipalities apply their own by-laws and zoning rules. There is no provincial tourist tax; TOMSA is a voluntary 1% industry levy. Keep basic fire-safety measures in place and install working smoke alarms; the Western Cape Government runs a province-wide smoke-alarm programme. Declare income to SARS; VAT applies only if you are a registered vendor for “commercial accommodation.”
Registration / Permit
No provincial STR register. Most councils either permit small-scale visitor accommodation in certain zones or require a land-use consent. City of Cape Town recognises short-term letting to “transient guests” in some dwelling/flat scenarios; other municipalities (e.g., Stellenbosch, Drakenstein) use their own “tourist/visitor accommodation” rules and consent processes.
Max Nights
None at province level; any limits would be in municipal schemes or consent conditions.
Planning / Zoning
If a land-use consent is required, typical municipal processing runs 6–12+ weeks for straightforward, non-notified applications; notified/complex cases can take longer.
Safety & Insurance
Fit and maintain working smoke alarms and basic home fire-safety measures; follow Western Cape Government guidance and local fire service advice for rentals and guest stays.
Tax
SARS income tax on profits; VAT 15% if supplies > R1,000,000/12 months. Municipal property rates/tariffs (e.g., City of Cape Town) may treat STRs as commercial.
SARS income tax on profits; VAT 15% if supplies > R1,000,000/12 months. Municipal property rates/tariffs (e.g., City of Cape Town) may treat STRs as commercial.
Fit and maintain working smoke alarms and basic home fire-safety measures; follow Western Cape Government guidance and local fire service advice for rentals and guest stays.
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City of Cape Town has specific provisions for “transient guests” and uses administrative penalties for unlawful use; other municipalities (e.g., Stellenbosch, Drakenstein) publish their own tourist-accommodation guidelines and contravention-penalty policies. Sectional title schemes may restrict short-term letting through approved conduct rules; check body-corporate rules before listing.
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⭐ Rated 4.8/5 by 2,500+ Hosts
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Municipal schemes and by-laws are periodically updated. City of Cape Town adopted further amendments in 2025; other Western Cape councils continue to refresh zoning schemes and guidance. Monitor your municipality’s planning pages for updates to activity tables, definitions and fees.
Defined in municipal planning schemes (often as ‘transient/visitor accommodation’). Thresholds vary; some councils use ~30 days as a guide. Check local scheme.
⭐ Rated 4.8/5 by 2,500+ Hosts
This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm with
Local Municipality (planning/compliance); Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (provincial framework/oversight); SARS (tax/VAT); CSOS and body corporates in sectional title schemes.
your local authority.
