Blue and white skip lorry parked outside residential area

Do I Need Permission to Keep a Skip on the Road?

If you’re planning to renovate your home or do some extensive landscaping work, skip hire can be a handy way to dispose of waste materials. However, if you don’t have a driveway, you may need to store your skip on a public road — and that usually requires a skip permit. Read on for all you need to know about skip permits and fines, and contact Kent Skips for affordable skip hire in Ipswich, Thetford, Diss, and the surrounding areas.

Do you need a skip permit for a driveway?

As long as the skip is on private property — for instance on your driveway or in a garden — you won’t need a skip permit. However, it’s important to make sure you have enough space on your property to accommodate the skip. It mustn’t stick out onto the pavement and cause any obstruction to pedestrians or motorists.

Permits for keeping a skip on the road

Not all properties have enough space to keep a skip on private land. Perhaps you live in a flat or terraced house with no driveway, for instance. If this is the case, you’ll probably need to keep your skip on the road directly outside your property — and that will require a skip permit.

Also known as a skip licence, a skip permit is a legal requirement for anyone who wishes to place a skip on a public highway. A public highway is defined as any road or pavement that is maintained at public expense — so this includes most roads, footpaths, and verges.

Skip permits are approved and handed out by your local council. If you’re arranging skip hire in Ipswich or Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk County Council is the organisation to contact. If you’re looking for skip hire services in Thetford or Diss, it’ll be Norfolk County Council.

However, individual residents can’t apply for a skip permit — it needs to go through your skip company. At Kent Skips, we’ll happily sort your skip licence for you, taking care of all the details.

How much does a skip permit cost?

The cost of a skip permit varies depending on your location and how long you need the permit for.

In Suffolk, for example, skip permits cost £80 for two weeks. You can renew the permit for a further two weeks for £40. (Please note, these prices are correct at the time of writing but may vary in the future).

What happens if I don’t get a skip permit?

If you place a skip on a public highway without a permit, you could face a fine of up to £1000. You’ll also be forced to remove the skip. It’s also important to note that you could be held liable for any costs or compensation claims if the skip injures any members of the public.

Load & Go service from Kent Skips

Have you considered Load & Go skip hire? If you don’t have a driveway or private land to store a skip on and only need it for a short time, this service could be perfect for you. Rather than arranging a regular skip permit, we’ll drive a skip to you, park up for 30 minutes while you load your waste in, then take it away again. It’s quick, easy, and cost-effective.

Affordable skip hire in Ipswich, Stowmarket, and the surrounding areas

Whether you’re looking for a mini skip or need to hire a large skip on a Load & Go basis, we have the ideal solution for you. We’ll also arrange the necessary permits so you can work on your renovation or clear out with peace of mind. Get in touch with the Kent Skips team to learn more or book your skip today.