One of the most common questions we get from homeowners is whether they need a pavement licence before scaffolding can go up. The short answer: if any part of the scaffold sits on public footway or road space, yes — a licence is required. Here\'s everything you need to know.
When a Pavement Licence Is Required
Under the Highways Act 1980, no structure can be placed on the public highway without permission from the relevant highway authority — which in London is almost always the borough council. This includes:
- Scaffold poles or base plates resting on the pavement
- Boards, platforms, or ties that overhang the footway
- Any temporary hoarding or debris chute on public land
If your property has a front garden or set-back, it\'s worth checking whether the scaffold can be contained entirely within your boundary. In most London terraces — particularly in inner-city postcodes like SW4, E8, and N1 — there\'s no setback, and a licence is needed. Full guidance is available on the GOV.UK pavement licence guidance page.
How to Apply
The licence application is made to the relevant borough council\'s highways department. A reputable scaffolding contractor will manage this process on your behalf, as they know the application requirements for each borough. The application typically requires:
- A plan showing the proposed scaffolding footprint on the highway
- Public liability insurance certificate (minimum £5M, usually £10M)
- CISRS card copies for the erecting operatives
- Method statement and risk assessment
We manage all pavement licence applications as a standard part of our service — you won\'t need to deal with the council\'s highways department directly.
Costs by Borough
Licence fees are set by each borough council and vary considerably. Typical London borough costs range from around £100 to £350 for standard residential scaffolding. Higher-footfall areas (e.g. main roads in Camden or Chelsea) may attract higher fees. The key point is that this is a council fee, separate from your scaffolding contractor\'s charges, and should be clearly identified in your quote.
- Lambeth (covers Clapham, Brixton, Stockwell): check lambeth.gov.uk
- Wandsworth (covers Battersea, Tooting, Wandsworth): check wandsworth.gov.uk
- Richmond (covers Richmond, Twickenham, Kew): check richmond.gov.uk
- Hackney: check hackney.gov.uk
- Camden: check camden.gov.uk
Who Pays?
The licence application is made by the scaffolding contractor, but the fee is ultimately passed on to the property owner as part of the project costs. Think of it the same way as planning application fees — it\'s a third-party charge that the contractor handles on your behalf but which you pay. Always ask your contractor to confirm the expected licence fee in writing as part of your quote, so there are no surprises.
At London Scaffolding Services, we flag council licence costs clearly in every quote and manage the application from start to finish. If you\'re planning a project in Clapham, Richmond, or anywhere else in London, call us on 020 4569 0046 for a free, fully itemised quote.