Street Furniture Permits and Pavement Licences

We want to support businesses in using outdoor areas, like pavements or public walkways - when the location is suitable. This includes businesses such as pubs, cafés, restaurants, and shops that may want to place tables, chairs, or other furniture outside.

Apply to use outdoor space for your business

If you want to place tables, chairs, signs or other furniture outside your business on a public pavement or road, you need permission from the council.

There are two types of permission:

Pavement Licence – for food and drink businesses
Street Furniture Permit – for other types of furniture

Do I need a permit or licence?

The type you need depends on your business and the furniture you plan to use.

Our Street Furniture and Pavement Licensing Policy is available to download from our Licensing Policies webpage.

Things to consider before applying

Think about how your furniture might affect others.

For example:

will it cause noise for nearby residents or businesses?
is the location suitable and safe?

Pavement Licences

Under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, the pavement licence process is now permanent.

Who can apply for a Pavement Licence?

You may apply for a pavement licence if your business sells food or drink and falls into one of the following categories:

public houses (pubs)
cafes
bars
restaurants
snack bars
coffee shops
ice cream parlours
supermarkets, entertainment or similar venues which sell food and drink.

To find out more read the GOV.UK guidance - pavement licences

What do I need to apply for a pavement licence?

Before a licence can be granted, there is a 14-day public consultation period.

To apply, include:

application fee - the fee covers the cost of administration, inspection and enforcement activity. If you are placing your tables and chairs on Council owned land you will be subject to a fee for land hire.
plan/map (preferably to the scale 1:100 or 1:50) showing the area requiring permission, the proposed location of the tables and chairs and/or any other objects. This will need to be a PDF document
photograph of the proposed street furniture. This will need to be in JPEG format
public liability insurance and proof of insurance. The minimum value insured will be £10 million
documented risk assessment (must be site/Covid-19 specific)
land owner permission - confirmation whether or not permission is required from the land owner.

You must display the public notice during the consultation period to inform the public and invite comments.

Submit your completed Pavement Licence application

email: licensing@iow.gov.uk Payment can be taken over the phone via debit/credit card
post: Licensing Department, County Hall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD. Include a cheque for payment.

Street Furniture Permits

Street Furniture Permits are issued under the Highways Act 1980 for furniture types not covered by Pavement Licence guidance. Each permit includes standard terms and conditions that must be followed. Permits are monitored throughout the year.

Exemptions

A Street Furniture Permit is not required for A boards less than 1.5 metres high.

How to apply for a Street Furniture permit

To apply, include:

application fee - the fee covers the cost of administration, inspection and enforcement activity. If you are placing your street furniture on Council owned land you will be subject to a fee for land hire
plan/map (preferably to the scale 1:100 or 1:50) showing the area requiring permission, the proposed location of the tables and chairs and/or any other objects. This will need to be a PDF document
photograph of the proposed street furniture. This will need to be in JPEG format
public liability insurance and proof of insurance .The minimum value insured will be ten million
planning permission (confirmation whether or not planning permission is needed)
land owner permission (confirmation whether or not permission is needed from the land owner)

Once your application is accepted, a 28-day consultation period begins. Notices will be displayed at the premises and nearby properties. If no valid objections are received, the permit will be issued for 12 months.

Note: You are responsible for renewing your permit annually. No reminders will be sent. Unauthorised furniture may be subject to enforcement.

The public liability insurance (PLI) levels required as part of the applications supporting documentation has increased from five million to ten million. The associated Policies will be updated in due course.

Download and complete the Street Furniture Permit Application Form (PDF, 120KB)

Submit your completed Street Furniture permit:

email: licensing@iow.gov.uk. Payment can be taken over the phone via debit/credit card
post: Licensing Department, County Hall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD. Please include a cheque for the payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the permit last?

Street Furniture Permits last for 12 months. You must renew it yourself—no reminders are sent.

What happens if I place furniture without permission?

You may face enforcement action.