Containers, materials, scaffolding, cabins and hoardings licences

You will need a licence to place a container, scaffolding, a cabin or building materials on the public highway, as well as erect hoardings on the public highway.

Licence conditions

Terms and conditions apply to these licences. 

Scaffold licence

The minimum period for a scaffold licence is one month. You should always apply for a licence for the full duration of time that you will require the scaffolding to be on the highway. You will need to renew your licence at least 7 days before the original licence expires. You will also need to renew any parking suspensions at least 5 working days before the date required.

Download the scaffold licence terms and conditions (PDF, 140KB) for further information.

Hoardings licence conditions

A licence is valid for 4 weeks and can only be obtained once a site meeting has taken place with a neighbourhood safety officer.

Fly posting material and graffiti must be removed immediately.

If any public utility apparatus is affected by the structure, you must agree access arrangements with the relevant statutory companies.

The hoarding must be:

  • built using smooth, close-boarded timber to a height of not less than 2.44 metres (8 feet)
  • painted in a uniform colour
  • electrically lit between half an hour before sunset and half an hour after sunrise

Download the hoardings licence terms and conditions (PDF, 97 KB).

Containers licence conditions

A licence is valid for 4 weeks and can only be obtained once a site meeting has taken place with a neighbourhood safety officer.

At the expiration of the period of consent the container shall be removed from the highway and the site left in a clean and tidy condition.

Requirements of containers

The container should not:

  • be placed within 18.3 m (60') of a road junction, bus stop (stand or terminal), traffic lights, pedestrian crossing, entrance to, or exit from schools, hospitals or works
  • be dragged or pushed along the highway in any way which causes or may cause damage to the highway
  • be deposited on any of the footway or verge at any time nor shall the container be transported over the footway nor shall any part of the transporting vehicle be on the footway when depositing or uplifting the container

The container should be:

  • placed on the carriageway with the long side parallel to the kerb at 250mm (10") out in the position agreed by the area enforcement officer
  • be sited so as not to impede the surface water drainage of the street nor obstruct access to any manhole or apparatus of any statutory undertaker or of the council, nor obstruct access to any other premises unless the consent of the occupier of those premises has been obtained

Single containers shall have at least 4 lights, 1 at each corner, during the hours of darkness and clearly visible to all traffic.

The container shall when deposited be clearly and indelibly marked with the owners name and with his telephone number or address.

No containers on the highway shall contain any inflammable, explosive, noxious or dangerous material or any material, which is likely to putrefy, or which is likely to become a nuisance to users of the highway.

Download the containers licence terms and conditions (PDF, 85 KB).

Materials licence conditions

You should always apply for a licence for the full duration of time that you will occupy the highway.

If you find you need it beyond this time, you will need to renew your licence at least 7 days before the original licence expires. You will also need to renew any parking suspensions at least 5 working days before the date required.

Renewal of a licence is not automatic and depends on several factors including other planned works in the area, planned events in the borough and compliance with the original licence. Failure to meet the terms and conditions of your licence may result in it being revoked or a renewal licence application being refused. If your licence is revoked, you must remove your building materials or machinery immediately.

Download the materials on the highway licence terms and conditions (PDF, 149 KB). 

Working next to the tramway

To ensure that work is carried out safely adjacent to the tramway system, prior to submitting your application form, you will need to arrange a site visit with Transport for London and an area enforcement officer in attendance.