Municipal Inspector Preparedness Checklist

An inspector arrives at your premises. Do you know who they are, what law they're enforcing, what they're allowed to do — and what you are legally entitled to ask them?

Most small business owners don't. This checklist changes that. Know your rights before the knock on the door, not after.

What's inside:

• Who the different types of municipal inspectors are and exactly what each one enforces (EHP, Business Licensing, Building Inspector, JMPD, OHSA)
• Your legal rights during an inspection — what you can ask, demand, and refuse
• What documents to have ready and where to keep them
• How to respond professionally without volunteering unnecessary information
• What inspectors can and cannot legally do on your premises
• What to do if you receive a compliance notice or closure order
• Post-inspection action checklist

Compiled against: Businesses Act 71 of 1991 | Regulation R638 of 2018 | National Building Regulations Act 103 of 1977 | OHS Act 85 of 1993 (verified April 2026)

Ideal for: Any South African small business owner, food vendor, trader, or property operator who wants to be prepared — not caught off guard.