Skip permits

Do I need a skip permit?

Builders’ skips require a permit if they are to be placed on the highway. This is a requirement of the Highways Act 1980. The local authority has the right to specify conditions relating to the position of highway skips.

Who can apply for a skip permit?

Skip permits are usually obtained by the skip suppliers. If you wish to put a skip on the road outside your house please contact your skip supplier.  When considering skip requests, the Highways team will take into consideration a number of factors and they may not always be able to grant consent.

What happens if I don't have a skip permit?

To place a skip on the highway without first applying for and being granted a licence is an offence under The Highways Act and may result in a prosecution. The skip owner (supplier) has the responsibility to make sure that skips are positioned on the highway in such a way that they do not cause an obstruction to other road users. The supplier is responsible for making sure that all appropriate regulations are adhered to.

Note: It is not the householder or the builders' (contractor) responsibility to get a highway permit.

How long is a permit valid?

A licence can be valid for any period between one day and 28 days. For longer periods extra applications should be made. Only one skip will be allowed on site at any one time except in exceptional circumstances.

Application evaluation process

• Skips should be placed on the carriageway and require at least three traffic cones on the approach side to guide traffic past the skip.
• During the hours of darkness, in poor daytime visibility and bad weather, road danger lamps (flashing amber) must be placed against or attached to each corner of the skip.  If sited on the carriageway, a lamp should be placed between each cone.  If our contractors are called out to lamp a skip or make it safe, there will be a charge.
• Skips placed on the highway must not contain any inflammable, explosive or noxious material or anything which is likely to cause nuisance to highway users.
• Contents of the skip must be kept "damped-down", or covered to prevent dust or spillage on the highway.
• The skip must not be overloaded and must be removed when full.
• An application for a skip permit will take approximately three to four days to process.

Tacit consent

You will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the council by the end of the target application period. Please note that the target completion period of  21 days will not begin until a complete application is submitted.

Apply for a skip permit

An administration fee of £50 is required with grant applications and the renewal fee is £50. Please note that a fee of £89 applies to retrospective licence applications.

On receipt of a valid application your permit will be issued.

Apply for skip permit online through Business Link webpage.

Apply by post

An administration fee of £50 is required with grant applications and the renewal fee is £50. Please note that a fee of £89 applies to retrospective licence applications.

On receipt of a valid application your permit will be issued.

Application for a skip permit (pdf, 106 KB)

Failed application redress

Please contact us in the first instance.

Licence holder redress

Please contact us in the first instance.

Consumer complaint

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct (external link) will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre (external link).

EUGO (European Union Go) gives service providers and entrepreneurs from the EU (European Union) and EEA (European Economic Area) the information and support they need to set up or do business in other EU or EEA markets. Central EUGO website portal.