Apply for a portable toilet or container licence
On this page
You need a licence if you want to place a portable toilet or container on a public highway.
You do not need a licence to place a portable toilet on private land.
The minimum period for a portable toilet or container licence is 28 days. It is your responsibility to renew your licence in time.
Before you apply
You will need:
- Certificate of public liability insurance to the value of £5,000,000 that is valid for the duration of the proposed licence
- Details of the precise usage of the container or cabin
Marketing suites are not a permitted use of containers and portacabins.
Red routes
We cannot issue highway licences for red routes. We can only issue a licence for side roads connected to red routes.
To place an item on a red route you must apply for a licence or permission from Transport for London.
Parking bays
If you plan to take up any part of a controlled parking space, you also need a bay suspension. You do not need to apply separately. See bay suspension fees.
Licence conditions
A copy of your licence must be available to view on site.
All hoarding and fencing must be legitimately sited and follow the terms and conditions set out in the permit.
If any of the requirements are not complied with, we may take such measures as necessary to:
- Mark, guard, light or remove the cubicle
- Clean and repair the highway
The licensee is liable for the costs incurred in such measures.
Read the full portacabin licence terms and conditions.
Timescales
You must apply for a container or portacabin licence a minimum of five working days before you need the licence to start. This gives us time to process your application and provide warning notices to other residents.
The day of submission is not included in the notice period.
Your application must be received by 3pm on the day of submission for it to be accepted for that day. If your application is received after this time, it will be deemed as received the next working day. The start date will then change.
Licences are only valid for consecutive days.
Fees
Charges for this year are valid from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
View container and portable toilet licence fees.
Apply for a licence
You can apply for a container or portable toilet licence online.
After you apply
A site meeting may be required before your licence is granted. This may affect the start date.
We will contact you to arrange a suitable time if a site meeting is necessary.
We will refuse applications if the location is unsuitable.
Make a payment
If your application is successful, you will be asked to complete payment. You can make a payment online.
If you do not make a payment within 24 hours of receiving the payment request, the licence will not be granted and we will offer you the next available start date.
Renew
You can renew a licence online or by email.
Renew online
Renew a licence online using the application form.
Renew by email
To renew by email, send the first page of the current licence to highwaylicences@wandsworth.gov.uk.
Timescales for renewals
If your licence is not renewed before its expiry date, you will need to pay for a new licence.
Renewal requests must be received by 3pm on the day of submission, three working days before the date of expiry.
Renewals will be counted as continuous rolling days and the appropriate tier rate will apply.