Development Facilitation Act 1995

Summary

The Development Facilitation Act of 1995 establishes a legal framework to accelerate land development and reconstruction projects throughout South Africa. This legislation introduces nationally uniform procedures to streamline the subdivision of land for residential use, small-scale farming, and business purposes in both urban and rural settings. To oversee these processes, the act mandates the creation of a Development and Planning Commission to provide policy advice and provincial development tribunals to resolve land-related conflicts. A core objective of the act is to provide security of tenure for citizens while ensuring that financial subsidies and loans are accessible early in the development cycle. Furthermore, the text outlines general principles that prioritize sustainable practices, public participation, and the efficient integration of social and economic resources. It also defines various administrative roles and legal terms necessary for the professional management of land registration and infrastructure provision.