The Land Surveying Division forms part of the Directorate of Development Planning. Land Surveying undertakes cadastral, topographical and general surveys on behalf of the municipality. The division also captures and supplies land information data to consultants and the public.

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What land information data is available from the Land Surveying Department?
Aerial photographs for the whole of the Buffalo City Municipal area, contours, cadastre or erf layouts, and mapping are available in digital formats from the Land Surveying Department.

How do I find out what my erf number is?
Your erf number is printed on your monthly water and electricity account. You can also phone the municipality's Valuations Department on (043) 705-3051. And, once you provide them with your street address and suburb, they will tell you what your erf number is.

How do I subdivide my property?
The Land Surveying Department only surveys municipal land and does not subdivide private property. As the property owner, you must appoint a registered professional land surveyor to undertake the subdivision. A list of private professional land surveyors is available in the Yellow Pages (under Surveyors - Land). Or click here for a copy of that list. Remember, you, or an agent acting on your behalf, must apply to City Planning for permission to subdivide your property.

How do I have my boundary pegs/beacons relocated?
The Land Surveying Department does not relocate boundary pegs for private property. You must appoint a registered professional land surveyor to undertake the relocation or replacement of beacons. A list of private professional land surveyors is available in the Yellow Pages (under Surveyors - Land). Or click here for a copy of that list.

How does a servitude affect me?
A servitude is a right over your land (eg access, pipeline conveyance, etc) and is normally in favour of another property but it can also be in favour of another person. The extents of the servitude are either shown on your erf diagram or are defined relative to a boundary in the title deed of the property. You can contact the Deeds Office in King William's Town
(043) 642-2741 for a copy of your title deed.

What is the area in square metres or hectares of my property?
The area of each property is shown on the erf diagram representing the property. You can request a copy of your erf diagram at the public counter outside Room 112 in the Planning and Engineering Centre, which is on the corner of Oxford and Fleet streets. The area of your property is also recorded in the title deed of the property. For a copy of your title deed, contact the Deeds Office in King William's Town on (043) 642-2741.

How can I get a contour map of my property?
Contour maps are available at the public counter outside Room 112 in the Engineering Building, which is on the corner of Oxford and Fleet streets. The contours have been determined from aerial photography and not from ground survey methods.