Pavement licences

This process allows you to secure a pavement licence within 28 days, and lasts for up to 2 years.  This is a single fast track process and you will not need to apply for separate planning permission. 

Make an application

1. Read our Pavement Licence Policy (PDF, 330.62KB) and GOV.UK: Pavement licences. 
2. Apply for a pavement licence online and include everything listed in the what to include section below. 
   If you send an incomplete application we will reject it, your fee will be retained and you will need to start the process again. 
   The statutory consultation period starts when we receive your completed, valid application.
3. On the day you apply, you will also need to display a public notice in a prominent position next to the highway. You can download a public notice template (PDF, 71.37KB).

What to include in your application

You will need to include the following with your application for a new pavement licence or for a pavement licence renewal:

• a £500 fee, payable online by a debit or credit card for all new applications 
  or
  a £350 fee, payable online by a debit or credit card for all renewal applications
• a premises location plan shown by a red line, so the application site is clear
• a clear plan, showing the suggested pavement licence area in relation to the street - it does not need to be to scale but the measurements must be clear and the plan must show:
  • how many tables and chairs there will be, their positions and the dimensions of all furniture
  • any other items that you might have on the street
• the days of the week and times of day when you will be using the pavement
• the length of the licence requested (maximum 2 years)
• a copy of your third party and public liability insurance for at least £10 million
• other supporting documents, such as photographs or leaflets of the furniture you will use
• proof that you have advertised your application - a copy of the public notice you have put up, and a picture of it in-situ
• confirmation that you have served notice on your direct neighbours
• if you have already applied for a pavement licence with Surrey County Council Highways, which is in progress, please give the reference details

This application process only applies to highways land. If you need to check whether the land you are seeking to use is highways land, contact Surrey County Council highways information team. If you do not check this information and the land is not public highway then any pavement licence granted will be invalid and the application fee will not be refunded.

After you apply

We will:

• acknowledge the application within one working day
• advertise your application on our website

We will also send consultation letters and ask for comments from:  

• Surrey County Council Highways 
• Surrey Police
• Surrey Fire and Rescue Service
• our planning team
• our environmental services teams (Pollution and Health and Safety)
• appropriate ward and parish councillors
• any other relevant people

Once the application is submitted, we have 28 days from the day after the application is made (excluding public holidays) to consult on and determine the application. This consists of 14 calendar days for public consultation, and then 14 calendar days to consider and determine the application after the consultation. 

If we don't receive any representations, we will grant the licence, subject to our standard conditions and policy. If we do receive representations, we will consider them and may add further conditions or consider refusing the application.

If granted, your licence will be valid as shown on the licence document which we will send to you.

If we don't make a decision on your application within the 28 day period of receiving a valid application, your licence will be 'deemed granted'. It will still be subject to the standard conditions. 

If 'deemed granted', your licence will be valid for 2 years (unless you have specified a shorter period in your application), starting from the first day after the 28 day application period.

View applications and make representations

If you would like to find out about any pavement licence applications that have been made, or would like to make a representation within the 14 day consultation period, see the pavement licences online tool.

Any representation must relate to the details in our policy:

• public health and safety
• public amenity
• accessibility