Scaffolding in London: Licences, Costs and What Homeowners Need to Know

A scaffold licence is required whenever scaffolding is erected on, over, or within 1 metre of a public highway. For London terraced houses — where the front facade is typically within a metre of the footway — any scaffolding at the front of the property will require a licence. Licences are not required for scaffolding erected entirely within the private property boundary (for example, in a private rear garden that is fully accessible without crossing the highway). For most London rear extension and roof projects, the scaffold is positioned at the rear of the property, within the garden boundary, and no licence is required. For loft conversions and roof works where the front elevation is involved, or for any project on a road-fronting property where the scaffold protrudes over the footway, a licence is required. The highway authority for most London roads is the London borough council in whose area the road lies. However, the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN — the strategic A-roads, red routes, and borough boundary roads managed by TfL) is managed by TfL rather than the borough. To determine which authority manages the road in front of your property: for a straightforward borough road, contact the borough council's highway licensing team; for any A-road, check whether it is on the TLRN (TfL's website has a map of TfL-managed roads) and if so, contact TfL's street licensing team.

For a borough-managed road: The scaffolding contractor (not the homeowner) typically applies for the scaffold licence on behalf of the project. The application is submitted to the borough council's highway licensing team (often part of the highways or street works department). Required information typically includes: the address and the proposed scaffold location; dimensions and height of the scaffold; proposed erection and removal dates; details of the scaffolding contractor (including their public liability insurance certificate); a method statement for erection and dismantling; site-specific traffic management arrangements if the scaffold affects the carriageway (rather than just the footway). The council assesses the application and issues the licence with any conditions (for example, requirements for lighting and warning signs, restrictions on working hours during erection and dismantling, or requirements for footway protection boards). For a TfL-managed road: TfL's requirements are more stringent. In addition to the above, TfL typically requires: structural calculations for the scaffold signed by a structural engineer; a full risk assessment; a coordination period with TfL's project management team (which can add 2-6 weeks to the programme); and may impose additional conditions related to the impact on bus routes, cycle lanes, or pedestrian routes. Applications to TfL are submitted through TfL's online street works licensing portal.

Scaffold licence costs vary by borough and by road type: Borough road scaffold licences in London: Fees typically range from £50 to £500 per licence, depending on the borough, the size of the scaffold, and the duration. Some boroughs charge a flat fee; others charge by the linear metre of scaffold over the highway or by the duration of the licence. Application processing times: most London boroughs aim to process scaffold licence applications within 10-15 working days. TfL road scaffold licences: Fees are typically higher — £300-£1,000 or more depending on the size and duration — and the processing and coordination time is longer (allow 4-6 weeks minimum for a TfL road scaffold licence application). Some TfL roads may have periods of restriction (during major events or during pre-planned road works) when scaffold licences are not granted — check with TfL early if your project is on a TfL road. In your contract with the scaffolding contractor or the principal contractor for your project, confirm: who is responsible for obtaining the scaffold licence (should be the contractor); the anticipated cost of the licence and whether it is included in the quote; the expected licence duration and whether extensions are anticipated; that the contractor holds appropriate public liability insurance for scaffolding work over the public highway.