Scaffold and hoarding licences

You need a licence to place a scaffold/hoardings on a public highway (verge, path or road).  You need to complete an application every time a scaffold/hoarding is put up.  This is a statutory requirement as specified in Section 169 of the Highways Act 1980. Please allow 7 calendar days for applications to be processed.

We will ask companies that place scaffolding or hoarding on the highway without a licence to remove the structure or apply for a licence immediately.  We may also notify the police.

Minimum public liability insurance cover required for this application is £5m.

You can now pay for your licence using the online application form.

Please note, the fees for skips and scaffolding licences will be increasing from 1 July 2023. Read this letter for more information (PDF) [155KB].

Before you begin your application

• Complete a site specific plan.  You will be asked to upload it while completing the application. We can only accept files up to 5MB. You will find example drawings below.
• You will need to register for a My Norfolk account.  Please register using your business details and company email address.

You may also be required to upload the following:

• A Pedestrian Management Plan that details how you will manage pedestrians through the site, if a minimum width of 1.2m of unobstructed footway will not be maintained for pedestrians. (In some scenarios a width of 1m may be acceptable; however, this will require further consultation with the Street Works Inspector)
• A Traffic Management Plan that details the signing and guarding arrangements to protect the scaffold, if any part of the structure be within 500mm of the edge of carriageway

Renew or apply for a scaffold licence

If you need to complete TTRO application go to our Highways licences and permits page.

For information on safety at street and road works go to the GOV.UK website.

Example drawings

Drawing A: Example of a basic scaffold/hoarding location plan

Drawing B: Example of basic traffic management set up for scaffolding/hoarding closer than 0.5m from the edge of the carriageway

These notes are designed to inform you of the basic requirements of placing scaffold/hoarding on the highway.  They do not necessarily cover your entire liability and you are responsible for ensuring that you comply fully with the law.