PUBLIC health by-laws require that certain businesses must obtain environmental health permits.
Any person operating such a service or business without a permit, may be liable for a fine of up to R2 000, warned metro spokesman Themba Gadebe.
He also said such a permit would only be issued, once the business has been inspected and found to be compliant with relevant legislation.
This implies that upon receipt of an application, an inspection will be carried out by an environmental health practitioner – who will set the requirements to be complied with. It will only be after the set requirements have been complied with, that a permit will be issued.
Businesses that require health permits include hair dressers, beauty salons, child care services, accommodation establishments such as guesthouses and B&Bs; as well as ‘offensive trades’ such as panel beaters, scrap yards and spray painters.
Permits are also required for kennels, catteries and the keeping of poultry.
Furthermore, all food premises must be in possession of a Certificate of Acceptability (COA), which should be clearly displayed for the public.
“There are currently no costs involved with the issuing of such certificates. Owners of food premises should contact their local environmental health practitioner, to arrange for an inspection in order to issue a COA. An application may be obtained from City House Building, corner of Margaret and Long streets, or call Laurina Vollaard on 011-999-3982.
For more information and permit requirements, the public health by-laws are available on www.ekurhuleni.gov.za, or call 011-999-3982/3970.
Below is a table of services or activities that need permits, that do involve costs. The tariffs are applicable from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017. Council determines tariffs annually.
Services and businesses are urged to contact the environmental health offices as soon as possible, so permits and certificates may be issued.
The cost of different permits are:
R617: to remove human excrement; installation of sewage works; conducting an offensive trade; hairdressing; beauty and/or cosmetology service; child care service; keeping poultry; keeping rabbits, a dog kennel or cattery.
R659: for keeping bees.
R1 021: for issuing of an Export Certificate for Food Stuffs.
R1 121: for an accommodation establishment.
It’s compulsory that premises operating all of the above mentioned operations, apply for permits and Certificates of Acceptability to operate in the City of Ekurhuleni.
