Licences and permits

The permissions a business needs before it can trade — each one tied to the law that creates it, or to a plain statement that no national statute does, and to the body that issues it. We point at GOV.UK for fees and forms; we never copy them.

3 of 41 licences · 3 with a named enabling instrument · 3 issued by a council

Narrow it down

Pick the activity you are asking about, and the nation you trade in. A licence can exist in one nation and not the next, so both matter.

What you do

Where you trade

Who issues it

Most business licences are issued by the council for the area you trade in — the licensing authority — under powers Parliament gave it. A small number are issued by a national regulator instead, and go to that body wherever you are.

1 licence on this list has no national enabling statute behind it — the regime is council byelaws or a local Act, or a statute that reaches only part of the area. Those pages say so plainly rather than citing something that does not apply to you.

Advertising and marketing

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Arts and recreation

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Beauty, hairdressing, nails and spa treatments

3

Massage and special treatment premises licensing

Contact your council if you run an establishment for massage or other special treatments and need a premises licence

England and Wales Your council No national statute

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Tattoo, piercing and electrolysis licence (England and Wales)

You need to register with the relevant local council to get a tattoo, piercing and electrolysis licence in England and Wales

England and Wales Your council

Building and construction

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Charity and community

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Cleaning

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Driving and motor vehicles

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Education, including tutoring and training

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Events

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Finance, insurance and insolvency

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Gambling and betting, including arcades, bingo and racing

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Hospitality, restaurants, bars and catering

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Media and broadcasting

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Tattooing, piercing and electrolysis

2

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Tattoo, piercing and electrolysis licence (England and Wales)

You need to register with the relevant local council to get a tattoo, piercing and electrolysis licence in England and Wales

England and Wales Your council

Telecommunications, technology and information services

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Tourist accommodation, including hotels and campsites

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council

Veterinary

1

Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)

Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties

England and Wales Your council