Do I need a business licence in South Africa?

Updated 1 November 2026 · 3 min read

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In short

Only for some trades. Selling meals or perishable food, hawking food, and some health and entertainment businesses need a municipal trading licence; other businesses need none under the Businesses Act [1].
Handling food for sale? You also need a certificate of acceptability from your municipality [2].
Selling alcohol needs a provincial liquor licence [3].
Working from home? Your property’s zoning decides what you may run there [4].

Does this apply to me?

Find your trade. If it isn’t listed, the Businesses Act 71 of 1991 asks for no licence [1].

Selling meals or perishable food
From a shop, restaurant or other premises [1], [2]
Needs: Trading licenceCertificate of acceptability
Hawking meals or perishable food
From a vehicle, movable stall or public place [1], [2]
Needs: Hawker’s licenceCertificate of acceptability
Health baths, saunas or massage
Massage and infrared treatment included [1]
Needs: Trading licence
Entertainment
Nightclub, cinema or theatre, three or more games machines or snooker tables, escort services or adult premises [1]
Needs: Trading licence
Selling alcohol
From your provincial liquor authority or board [3]
Needs: Provincial liquor licence
Anything else
Services, or goods that aren’t food, online or in person. Zoning still applies [1], [4]
Needs: No licence under the Act

Trading in a listed trade without the licence is an offence [1].

In Limpopo, ask your municipality about business registration; in Polokwane, ask the provincial economic development department [5].

Selling food from home

A home kitchen is food premises too: any building or place where food is prepared, stored or sold [2].

Still needed

A certificate of acceptability [2]
Zoning approval for a house shop, where required [4]
A licence, if you sell perishable food your province lists [1]

Not needed

A trading licence for meals made and sold in your own home [1]

Certificate of acceptability

Proof your premises meet the food hygiene rules, R638 of 22 June 2018 [2].

Who issues it: Your municipality; After an environmental health practitioner inspects [2], [6].
In whose name: The person in charge; A person responsible for the premises, not the business [2].
New person in charge: Tell the municipality; Within 30 days, for a new certificate. It can’t move to other premises [2].
Licence to trade?: No; It doesn’t replace a licence, zoning or other approvals [6].

How to apply

Licences come from your municipality, or the body your province names [1].

Check your premises’ zoning with the municipality
A licence can be refused if premises break town-planning, health or safety rules [1].
Selling food? Apply for the certificate of acceptability
An environmental health practitioner inspects first [6].
Apply for the trading licence
Registering with CIPC, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, doesn’t replace it [4].
Selling alcohol? Apply to your provincial liquor authority
Trading without a liquor licence is an offence [3].
Display your certificate on the premises
Visible to customers and inspectors [6].

Still choosing how to trade? See Start a business and what to set up first for your work.

Documents you need

Lists differ by municipality. One metro asks for these [7].

Shop, restaurant or venue

The licence application form
A land use (zoning) clearance certificate
A fire clearance after an inspection
An approved building plan and certificate of occupancy
A certificate of acceptability application, for food
Certified copies of the owner’s and manager’s IDs

Health or entertainment, also

A police clearance certificate [7]
The licence can be refused if the person isn’t suitable, including over past convictions [1]

References

General guidance, not tax or legal advice.

[1]Republic of South Africa, “Businesses Act 71 of 1991,” KZN Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.kznedtea.gov.za/documents/Business%20Act%20no.71%20of%201991.pdf (opens in a new tab)
[2]Department of Health, “Regulations governing general hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food and related matters (R638), Government Gazette 41730,” South African Government, Jun. 22, 2018. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201806/41730gon638.pdf (opens in a new tab)
[3]Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, “National Liquor Authority FAQs,” the dtic. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.thedtic.gov.za/legislation/legislation-and-business-regulation/national-liquor-authority/faqs/ (opens in a new tab)
[4]City of Cape Town, “Home-based business,” City of Cape Town. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.capetown.gov.za/work-and-business/doing-business-in-the-city/register-your-business-premises/home-based-business/ (opens in a new tab)
[5]Limpopo Provincial Treasury, “2026 Estimates of Provincial Revenue and Expenditure: Vote 06, Economic Development, Environment and Tourism,” National Treasury. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.treasury.gov.za/documents/provincial%20budget/2026/3.%20Estimates%20of%20Provincial%20Revenue%20and%20Expenditure/Limpopo/Vote%20%2006%20-%20Economic%20Development,%20Environment%20and%20Tourism.pdf (opens in a new tab)
[6]Western Cape Government, “How to apply for a Certificate of Acceptability in the City of Cape Town,” Western Cape Government, Dec. 19, 2024. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/edat/files/wcg-blob-files?file=2024-12%2Fcity-of-cape-town-how-to-apply-for-a-certificate-of-acceptability-002.pdf&type=file (opens in a new tab)
[7]City of Cape Town, “Apply for a business licence,” City of Cape Town. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.capetown.gov.za/city-connect/apply/licences-and-permits/business-and-trade/apply-for-a-business-licence/ (opens in a new tab)