The City of Cape Town has amended its events by-law to reduce administrative burdens for small-scale and low-risk events. Improving the city’s ability to attract major national and international events, the amended by-law has been promulgated and is now in force.
“These amendments will ensure that smaller community events are not subjected to the same requirements as large-scale events while maintaining the necessary safety standards. For community organisations, schools, neighbourhood groups and local event organisers, these changes have the potential to reduce costs and simplify the process of hosting events that bring people together and contribute to social cohesion,” said JP Smith, City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
The amendments give the Events Permit Officer greater discretion to assess applications based on the nature, size and risk profile of an event, allowing for a more proportionate approach to event regulation.
Additionally, the amendments introduce greater flexibility in appointing Safety Officers to consider exemptions and alternative safety measures for adequate risk mitigation.
City-protected events
The by-law also introduces the concept of “city-protected events”, which enables the city to support major events that deliver significant economic, social and destination marketing benefits for Cape Town.
Under exceptional circumstances, the city may approve specific exemptions from certain municipal by-laws to facilitate strategically important events, subject to strict conditions and compliance with national health and safety legislation.
“The proposed framework will enhance our capacity to attract and host major events, thereby stimulating economic activity, creating employment opportunities, drawing visitors to our city and delivering lasting benefits for residents,” said Mzwakhe Nqavashe, Chairperson of the City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Portfolio Committee.
The city’s events amendment by-law 2025 is available here: https://bit.ly/4e9fQ6w
