Journey
Do I need an environmental permit?
Quick assessment of whether your business activities require an environmental permit from the Environment Agency or local council.
Not sure if you need an environmental permit?
Check whether your business activities are regulated under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016. Operating without a required permit is a criminal offence carrying up to 5 years imprisonment and unlimited fines.
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Do any of these apply to your business?
Regulated activities that need a permit
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If you answered yes to any of the above
You are likely to need an environmental permit. The type of permit and which regulator you apply to depends on the scale and nature of your activity.
Check your environmental permit requirements
Determine whether you need a standard rules permit, bespoke permit, or exemption registration. Includes permit types, costs, and processing times.
gov.uk
Use the Environment Agency's online checker (opens in a new tab)
Interactive tool to check if your specific activity requires a permit.
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If none apply, check for waste exemptions
Even if you do not need a full permit, you may still need to register a waste exemption if you store, treat, or use small quantities of waste. Exemption registration is simpler and cheaper than a permit: £58.13 per registration plus a compliance charge per exemption band (as of 2026).
Register a waste exemption
When a simpler, lower-cost exemption registration covers your activity instead of a full permit.
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Ready to apply?
If you need a full permit, allow time before your operations start. Standard rules permits take around 13 weeks; bespoke permits can take 4 months or longer.
Apply for an environmental permit
Documentation requirements, application process, fees, and what to expect during determination.