Apply for a hoarding licence

An application form must be completed and returned no less than 10 working days before it is intended to erect or retain the hoarding on the highway. Hoarding can now be licenced for either one month or three months, with associated costs as detailed below.

Licence periods will not be extended. If an application is due to expire before the works are completed, a new application will be required. Applicants must decide when they begin the works if they will need the hoarding for 1 month or up to 3 months.

Please note:

  • the applicant must have a minimum £10m public liability insurance
  • where the applicant directly employs operatives, employers liability insurance giving a minimum cover of £10m is required
  • we reserve the right to increase required insurance amounts if it is considered that the site location requires a higher degree of cover
  • a sketch or plan showing the proposed location of the hoarding must be submitted with the application
  • if additional permits are required due to the requirement for traffic management, footway or road closures then this will increase the lead time for your application

Payment for £210 for a one month licence and £300 for a three month licence will be requested on receipt of the application unless your company has been approved for a monthly account. The application fee is non-refundable.

Submission of a form and payment does not mean permission has been granted and no hoarding may be erected on the highway without a licence being granted first.

To apply please complete and return a WCC hoarding, access arm and crane application (DOCX, 484 KB) to your local area office.

If granted:

  • the licence will give details of the required standard of signing and guarding to be provided and the clearances to be maintained on the highway
  • the licence will prescribe special conditions which must be adhered to at all times
  • the hoarding must not obstruct access to statutory undertakers equipment and plant or highway furniture

Placing a hoarding on the highway without a valid licence is illegal. Warwickshire County Council will consider issuing a retrospective licence in these circumstances.

The charge for consideration of a retrospective hoarding licence is £315 for a one month licence and £450 for a three month licence effective from 1 October 2024. The charge is payable regardless of whether the hoarding licence is granted.

Warwickshire County Council may also take other enforcement action as deemed appropriate.

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