Pavement licences

You can apply for a pavement licence if you want to put tables, chairs or other moveable furniture on the highway adjacent to a premises used for sale of food and drink. 

The furniture can be used for the sale /  service of food and drink or to provide seating for people to eat and drink.

This is a temporary licensing arrangement to support the reopening of business during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Before you start

  • The premises to which the use of the licence relates must be a pub, bar, restaurant or other premises used for the sale of food or drink.
  • Please check our standard conditions applicable to licences. These include conditions relating to, public liability insurance, access, disability requirements and no-smoking provision based on requirements of the Act and associated guidance. If your proposals can not meet the conditions, the application will be refused.
  • We will not grant licences before 7am or after 10pm for noise disturbance reasons.

If you have a valid licence with Kent County Council to put tables and chairs on the highway, you do not need to hold a pavement licence as well.

How long do licences last?

  • On renewal, licences will be issued for the period until 30 September 2024.

Note: As this is a temporary licensing arrangement. All licences must end on 30 September 2024 even if a longer expiry date is shown on the licence.

How much does it cost?

  • Applications will be charged £100.

How to apply            

You will need to

Log into your MyAccount (or create an account if you don't already have one) to complete the form. MyAccount is an easier and quicker way to interact with us and is available 24/7.

  • complete the application form
  • pay the appropriate fee

Pavement Licence Application Form

Publicising your application

  •  You must display the site notice at the premises for 5 working days, starting the day after the Licensing Team tell you that they have received everything they need from you and your application is going out for public consultation. This tells people about your proposal and enables them to make representations if they wish.

Pavement Licence Site Notice

  • We will also put details of your application on our website. We will consult with other agencies, including the Highways Authority.

 What happens next?

  • At the end of the consultation period we will make a decision whether to grant or refuse a licence.
  • We will notify you of the decision within 5 working days of the end of the consultation period.
  • If you do not hear from us within that time, your application is considered granted.
  • There is no formal appeal process if applications are refused. 

All licences are subject to our standard conditions. Failure to comply with conditions may result in revocation of the licence.

Pavement Licence Standard Conditions July 2020