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.
6 of 41 licences · 6 with a named enabling instrument · 6 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.
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
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
Beauty, hairdressing, nails and spa treatments
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
Building and construction
6
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
Road occupation licence for building work (England and Wales)
You must get a licence from the council to dig up the road, or temporarily occupy it in connection with building work - fines, …
Scaffolding and hoarding licence (England and Wales)
You need a licence from the local authority to put up scaffolding or hoarding on a public highway in the UK.
Skip licence (England and Wales)
You or the skip hire company need a skip licence/permit if you want to put a skip on a public road. You may need …
Skip operator licence
Get a skip permit for your skip hire company - skip hire licence, local authority, highway act
Street works licence (England, Scotland and Wales)
You need a licence to place apparatus on a street or road in England, Wales and Scotland
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
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
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
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
Energy, gas and electricity
1
Road occupation licence for building work (England and Wales)
You must get a licence from the council to dig up the road, or temporarily occupy it in connection with building work - fines, …
Environment: management and waste
2
Skip licence (England and Wales)
You or the skip hire company need a skip licence/permit if you want to put a skip on a public road. You may need …
Skip operator licence
Get a skip permit for your skip hire company - skip hire licence, local authority, highway act
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
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
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
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
Legal 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
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
Tattooing, piercing and electrolysis
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
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
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
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
Checking approvals more broadly?
A licence is one of several things you may need before your first day of trading. The pre-trading quick check walks the registrations, insurances and approvals alongside it.
Not sure which of these apply to you?
Our guides on finding a licence and dealing with your local council walk through the questions that decide it.