Skip Permits in Surrey, Sussex and Kent
You only need a skip permit, often called a skip licence, if the skip is going on a public road or pavement. If it can sit on your own drive, garden or other private land, no permit is needed. Where a licence is required, it is usually the skip company that applies, and the rules, costs and timescales are set by the local highway authority, which differs between Surrey, West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, and Kent.
When Do You Need a Skip Permit?
Any skip placed on the public highway, which includes roads, verges, footpaths and many unadopted streets used by the public, needs a licence from the council. A skip on your own driveway does not. If you are unsure whether the land outside your property is public or private, ask us when you book. Our general guide to whether you need a skip permit covers the basics, and if your drive is tight, our narrow access skips can often avoid the need for a road licence altogether.
Skip Permits in Surrey
Surrey County Council is the highway authority for most of the county, including Redhill, Reigate, Horley, Dorking, Epsom, Caterham and Oxted. In Surrey, only skip companies registered with the county council can apply for a skip licence, so residents cannot apply themselves. If your skip needs to go on the road, tell us when you book and we will explain what is needed, how long it will take and what it will cost.
Skip Permits in West Sussex
West Sussex County Council covers areas such as Crawley, Three Bridges, East Grinstead and Worthing. Here, it is the skip operator's responsibility to obtain the licence. At the time of writing, the council charges £65 for a seven-day period, licences last for up to 14 calendar days and can be extended, and applications need at least ten working days' notice, although a faster service is available at extra cost. Skips cannot be placed on yellow lines, disabled bays, footways or grass verges, and if the street is in a controlled parking zone, the parking bay has to be suspended first. Skips on the road must be clearly marked, guarded with cones and lit at night, and roll-on roll-off skips are not allowed on the road at all.
Skip Permits in Brighton and Hove
In Brighton, Hove, Kemp Town and Hanover, skip licences are issued by Brighton and Hove City Council. Much of the city is covered by controlled parking zones and many terraced streets have no off-road space, so a road licence is often needed and placement can be restricted. Fees are reviewed each year, so we will confirm the current cost and timescale when you book. For smaller loads, a removal collection can be simpler than arranging a skip on a busy street.
Skip Permits in Kent
For properties just over the county line, such as Edenbridge and Westerham, skip licences are handled by Kent County Council rather than Surrey. The same principles apply, with the skip company usually arranging the licence on your behalf, so let us know your address when booking and we will check what is required.
How Long Does a Skip Permit Last?
Licence periods vary by council. In West Sussex a licence lasts up to 14 days, which matches our standard hire period, and extensions must be requested before it expires. If your project is likely to overrun, read our guide on how long you can keep a skip and tell us as early as possible so the licence can be extended in time.
What Happens Without a Permit?
Placing a skip on the road without a licence, or leaving it there after the licence has expired, can lead to fines and the skip being removed. It also leaves you exposed if someone is hurt or a vehicle is damaged, which is why skips on the road must be properly marked and lit. The cost of a licence is included in the overall price we quote, which is explained in our guide on how much skip hire costs.
