Highways applications for permits and licences

We issue the following permits and licences if you want to carry out works or events on our highways

Skip Application

If you want to put a skip on a public road you need to apply for a skip permit/licence. You can't put a skip on the pavement. You don't need a licence if you're putting the skip entirely on private land.

Skip Application

You also need a licence for skip bags and hippobags.

You may need to put safety lights and markings on or around the skip, and you could be fined up to £1,000 if you fail to do this.

Scaffolding and hoardings

If you want to put scaffolding or a hoarding on or next to a public road you need to apply for a licence.

You need to use a scaffolding company with traffic signs manual chapter 8 accreditation and £5 million public liability insurance.

Scaffolding and hoardings

White bar markings

You can ask us to paint a white line or bar marking on the road outside your house to show drivers that they shouldn't block access to your off-road parking area. The line only advises others drivers not to park there but has no legal standing so we can't prosecute someone for parking there. The Police can take action against someone blocking your vehicle in your driveway.

A white bar marking costs £180.

White bar markings

Banners

If you would like to place a banner at one of the Plymouth City Council’s official sites to advertise your business/event, you'll need to apply for permission. Registered charities may advertise once a year free of charge, all other applicants must pay a £45 fee to allow their banner to be placed for up to 28 days.

Banners

Tables and chairs

We are committed to helping businesses during this difficult time and have agreed to extend the free of charge tables and chairs licence scheme, including using the more simplified application form for the period of 12 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.

Businesses must still apply and will be issued with a permit, which will be free and valid until 31 March 2022.

Permits will be issued within five days of each completed application being received.

If you run a business and want to put tables and chairs, or other forms of street furniture on a public road you need to apply for a tables and chairs permit/licence. You don't need a licence if you're putting the tables and chairs entirely on private land. Tables and chairs placed on the public highway without a permit may be removed with impunity by the Council.