Getting a skip hire permit
In construction, a skip is a container used to hold waste and debris produced by works such as building, demolition, landscaping, and so on. Hiring a skip can be an important part of site waste management and efficient waste disposal.
For more information, see Hiring a skip.
Skip hire permits, also known as a skip licences, are required if a skip needs to be placed on a public highway. They are generally issued by local authorities. A permit is not required if the skip is placed on private land. Permits are also required for hippobags and other skip bags.
If a skip is to be placed in a controlled parking zone (i.e. on a single yellow line, a resident’s parking bay, or a pay and display parking bay), a parking suspension will also be required.
It may be necessary to put safety lights and markings on or around skips, such as; reflective markings, traffic cones, night-time safety lamps and the name and telephone number of the skip hire company. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
Skips must not block access to property or apparatus within the highway, restrict visibility at junctions, accesses and crossing points or reduce highway widths to an unacceptable extent.
Applicants may be required to indemnify the local authority against liability, loss, claims and other proceedings and may be required to have public liability insurance cover.
The charge for skip hire permits varies according to the local authority and the amount of time it will be needed for. Parking bay suspension fees are an additional charge, which also vary depending on the local authority. The typical cost of a skip permit is £20 to £60 a week. If the skip operator applies for a permit on the client’s behalf, which the majority of councils allow, they will often add a mark-up to cover admin costs. Councils will usually issue permits for 1-2 weeks, after which they can be extended at an additional charge.
Both a skip hire permit and parking suspension typically take 3-4 days to arrange.
If permits are not obtained, skips can be removed and a penalty charged.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
A brief description of a smart construction dashboard, collecting as-built data, as a s site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure bill oulined
With reactions from IHBC and others on its potential impacts.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.