Guide
Skip permits: when you need one and how it works
You only need a permit if the skip goes on the road, pavement or a verge. We apply for it for you.
Do I need a skip permit?
Only if the skip will go on the public highway: the road, the pavement or a grass verge. On your own drive or land, you don't need one.
Who issues the permit?
Skip permits (also called skip licences) come from the highway authority for the area:
| Area | Permit from |
|---|---|
| Most of Hampshire, including Farnborough, Aldershot, Fleet, Fareham, Gosport, Havant and Winchester | Hampshire County Council |
| Portsmouth and Southsea | Portsmouth City Council |
| Southampton | Southampton City Council |
| Surrey, including Guildford, Woking, Camberley, Farnham and Godalming | Surrey County Council |
| Bracknell, Sandhurst and Crowthorne | Bracknell Forest Council |
| Chichester and Bognor Regis | West Sussex County Council |
We apply for it for you
Tell us when you book that the skip needs to go on the road, and we'll arrange the permit. The council charges a fee, which we add to your order, and processing can take a few working days, so book as early as you can. Fees and timings differ between councils: ask us for the current figures in your area.
A permit is for a set period. If you think you'll need the skip for longer, tell us so we can extend it.
Parking bays and restrictions
If the skip will sit in a parking bay or on a street with parking restrictions, the council may also need to suspend the bay. This is common in town centres and in cities like Portsmouth and Southampton. We'll tell you if it applies.
Lights and cones
A skip on the road must be visible in the dark. You'll need safety lamps and traffic cones around it at night, which you can get from local hire shops. The skip itself must also carry reflective markings and the owner's contact details.