How Skip Permits Work in Waltham Forest
If you want to place a skip on a public road or highway in Waltham Forest, you must obtain a skip permit/licence from the Council under the Highways Act.
If the skip is placed entirely on private land (driveway, garden/site) then a highway skip licence is not required (though if crossing pavement or encroaching, other permissions may still apply).
Below is the full process and key rules.
Hire a Waltham Forest Skip
1. Who Applies for the Permit?
- Only the skip hire company/operator (registered with the council) may apply for a skip permit/licence.
- You, the customer, must ensure you choose a registered skip operator and that the permit is obtained before placement.
2. How Long Does a Permit Last?
- The maximum licence period for a skip is 14 days.
- After 14 days, you must apply for a new permit.
3. How Much Does the Permit Cost?
- The standard skip permit fee is £170 (for one skip) for the 14-day period.
- If a skip is parked in a bay it is £100.80 per bay per day
All prices exclude VAT
4. Where Can You Put the Skip?
- On the public highway / carriageway / road verge → skip permit required.
- On private property (driveway, garden) → skip permit not required for highway placement.
- The skip must adhere to specified maximum size: no more than 5 m length × 2 m width and max 6.12 cubic metres (8 cubic yards) when on the highway.
5. Safety Requirements
- The skip must:
- Be lit during hours of darkness.
- Be marked with owner/operator name and contact number.
- Not obstruct pedestrian or traffic routes; skip company must abide by licence conditions.
6. Permit Enforcement
- If a skip is placed without a valid permit (or fails to meet conditions) the council may take action: removal, fine, legal proceedings.
- Overstaying the permitted period without renewal is a breach of the licence conditions.
7. How Long Does Approval Take?
- License – 3 working days, + 3 working days for renewal
- Bay Suspension – 10 Working Days
8. How the Process Usually Works for You
- You book a skip with a registered/licensed skip-hire operator in Waltham Forest.
- Inform them that the skip will be placed on the public road/highway (if applicable).
- The skip hire company:
- Ensures they are registered with Waltham Forest Council.
- Applies for the skip permit and awaits approval.
- Once the permit is issued, the skip is delivered to the site.
- You fill the skip, observing safe loading and relevant waste restrictions.
- The skip is collected before the permit expires (or a new permit applied if needed).