Start with where the skip will stand
The first decision is not the size of the skip but its location, because that determines whether you need a permit at all. If a skip sits entirely on private land, such as a driveway or garden, no council permit is needed. That covers the pavement and the road.
Before you measure your site, check the location against the highway boundary. A skip standing against your kerb may be partly on the road, so it is worth confirming the position before the skip is delivered. The space available on the highway, and the traffic that uses it, will shape the size the council is prepared to allow.
Who arranges the permit, and what the council checks
In England, the highway rules come from the Highways Act 1980, which sets the legal framework for placing skips on the highway. Under section 139 of the Highways Act 1980, a builder's skip shall not be deposited on a highway without the permission of the highway authority for the highway. The local council, as highway authority, decides whether to grant it.
In practice the skip company handles the paperwork. It is the responsibility of the company providing the skip to contact the Council requesting permission to place it on the highway. The council looks at whether the placement is safe. Permits are required to ensure skips are not placed so as to block access to property or apparatus within the highway, reduce highway widths to an unacceptable extent or to restrict visibility at junctions, access and crossing points. Conditions can also cover the skip's dimensions. A highway authority may grant such permission either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as may be specified in the permission including, in particular, conditions relating to the siting of the skip and its dimensions.
Timing matters too. Some councils need notice before delivery. Some councils set their own notice periods, and the Torfaen council requires at least 24 hours notice when applying for a licence. Requirements vary by authority, so confirm the lead time with your own council.
Choosing a size that fits the job and the site
Size choice comes down to three things: how much waste you have, how much room the site gives you, and what the council will permit. A large skip is no use if the council only allows a smaller one on that stretch of road. Choose the largest size that fits both the site and the permit, then check the skip is not overfilled.
Ask the company to confirm the permit dates as well. Under section 139(4)(c) of the Highways Act 1980, the owner must ensure the skip is removed as soon as practicable after it has been filled. If you need the skip for longer than the permit allows, ask in good time.
If you are clearing a property, a wider range of options may suit you. You can read more about clearance and disposal services on GetBrent, which cover the situations where a skip is only one of several options.
Waste carrier checks and your duty of care
Whichever size you choose, the waste carrier rules apply to you. The Waste Duty of Care Code of Practice says that when a private firm such as a skip hire company takes waste from your property, Householders have a limited duty:
The check itself is simple. If the company will not give you its registration number, treat that as a warning.
If you add your own waste to a tradesperson's skip, the duty can apply to what you put in.
Practical checklist before you book
- Confirm whether any part of the skip will stand on the public highway, verge or pavement.
- If it will, make sure the skip company applies for the council permit and gets your dates right.
- Check the permitted size and siting conditions before ordering.
- Ask for the company's waste carrier registration number and check it on the Environment Agency register.
- Do not overfill the skip above the rim, and keep the highway clean.
- Ask about prohibited materials before loading.
Cost is the other factor, but no figure is given here because permit fees, skip hire rates and disposal charges vary by council and depot. What drives the cost includes the permit fee, the length of hire, the skip size, the type of waste and any traffic management needed on busier roads. Confirm the exact figure with the skip company or your council before you commit.
For local options, you can compare skip hire in London and skip hire in Coventry to see how providers differ by area. To find a registered local hire company for your project, use GetBrent to compare skip hire firms near you, check their details and book with confidence.
