Polokwane’s new environmental health tariffs
POLOKWANE — Businesses, food premises, early childhood development centres and some event organisers in Polokwane must now pay the municipality’s new environmental health service tariffs before inspections or services are carried out.
The City of Polokwane says its approved 2026/27 Environmental Health Services tariffs took effect on 1 October 2026, with payment required when an application is submitted and before an Environmental Health Practitioner provides the relevant inspection or service.
The tariffs apply to several municipal environmental health processes, including the registration of Social Development institutions, Certificates of Acceptability for food premises, Certificates of Competency and health certificates required by Early Childhood Development centres.
Private events requiring environmental health inspections and other approved Environmental Health Services are also covered by the new tariff structure.
The change is particularly relevant to restaurants, takeaways, caterers and other businesses handling food because a Certificate of Acceptability forms part of the regulatory requirements governing food premises.
According to the municipal notice, a Certificate of Acceptability issued through the process will be valid for 12 months from the date of issue, provided the premises continues to comply with applicable legislation.
The municipality has also warned businesses and members of the public that non-compliance with environmental health legislation can result in fines, imprisonment or both.
Legislation highlighted in the notice includes the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act 54 of 1972 and regulations governing general hygiene requirements for food premises and the transport of food.
Polokwane also specifically highlighted regulations governing the management of human remains issued under the National Health Act.
The introduction of the new tariffs does not remove the underlying obligation to comply with environmental health requirements. Instead, applicants requiring the listed municipal inspections, certificates and registrations will now need to account for the applicable 2026/27 charge before the service is rendered.
The public notice does not provide the individual rand amount payable for each service. Residents and businesses requiring the exact tariff applicable to their application have been directed to contact Polokwane Municipality’s Environmental Health Services.
The new tariff regime has been in effect since 1 October, meaning businesses and institutions making new applications should establish the applicable fee before requesting an inspection or certificate.