How to Apply for a Street Trading Licence: Step-by-Step

Applying for a street trading licence is straightforward once you know the process — but every council handles it slightly differently, and there's no single national application form. Here's a step-by-step guide that covers the general process across England and Wales. For an overview of every licence, certificate, and registration you need beyond the street trading licence, see the complete food truck licensing guide.

Before You Apply: Licence or Consent?

Councils designate their streets into two categories under Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982:

• Licence streets — the council must grant a licence unless they have grounds to refuse (e.g. not enough space, too many existing traders, unsuitable applicant)
• Consent streets — granting is discretionary. The council can refuse for any reason and attach whatever conditions they see fit.

This distinction matters because your rights as an applicant differ. On a licence street, a refusal can be appealed to a magistrates' court within 21 days. On a consent street, you have fewer options if refused.

Check which designation applies to your target streets before applying. Most councils publish this on their licensing pages.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Identify the right council

Street trading licences are issued by the district, borough, or unitary council for the area where you want to trade — not the county council.

If you trade across multiple council areas, you need a separate application to each one. There's no way to get a single licence covering multiple councils.

Use the GOV.UK street trading licence finder to locate your council's licensing team.

2. Check if the council has adopted Schedule 4

Most councils in England and Wales have adopted the street trading provisions of the 1982 Act, but not all. A handful of councils don't regulate street trading at all, meaning no licence is needed. London boroughs operate under the London Local Authorities Act 1990 instead, which has similar provisions.

If the council hasn't adopted the legislation, ask them directly — they'll tell you whether you need any form of permission.

3. Download or request the application form

Every council has its own application form. There is no standardised national form. Most councils now have downloadable forms on their websites, and some accept online applications.

Search for "[council name] street trading licence application" to find the right page.

4. Gather your supporting documents

Although requirements vary, most councils ask for:

• Two passport-size photographs of each applicant
• Proof of identity (passport, driving licence)
• Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)
• Food hygiene certificate (if selling food — Level 2 is most commonly accepted)
• Food business registration confirmation (from the council where your vehicle is stored overnight)
• Public liability insurance certificate (most councils require a minimum of £5 million cover)
• Gas safety certificate (if your vehicle uses gas appliances)
• Vehicle details (registration, dimensions, photographs of the trading unit)
• Description of goods you intend to sell

Not every council requires all of these, and some ask for additional items. Check the form carefully.

5. Submit and pay the application fee

Fees vary significantly between councils — from under £100 in smaller district councils to several hundred pounds in major cities. London boroughs tend to charge the most. See our Street Trading Licence Costs guide for a council-by-council comparison.

Some councils split fees into an application fee (non-refundable) and a licence fee (payable once granted). Others charge a single combined fee.

Payment methods vary: online, telephone card payment, cheque, or bank transfer.

6. Wait for processing

Typical processing times:

• Standard applications: 28 days (the statutory target for licence streets)
• Popular areas or new designations: 2-3 months or longer
• London boroughs: Often longer due to volume. Some maintain waiting lists for specific pitches.

The council may contact you for additional information, arrange a site visit, or consult with police, highways, and environmental health before deciding.

7. Receive your decision

For licence streets, the 1982 Act sets a 28-day processing target. If the council hasn't responded within this period, contact them to chase the application — do not assume it has been granted without written confirmation.

For consent streets, there is no statutory time limit. The council will write to you with their decision.

If granted, you'll receive your licence or consent document, which states:

• The street(s) where you can trade
• The days and hours of trading
• The type of goods you can sell
• Any conditions (e.g. waste disposal, maximum stall size)

8. Display your licence while trading

Keep your licence with you whenever you're trading. Some councils issue a plate or badge that must be visibly displayed on your stall or vehicle.

If Your Application Is Refused

On a licence street, you can appeal to the magistrates' court within 21 days of the refusal notice. Grounds for appeal include:

• The council's reasons don't match the permitted grounds in the 1982 Act
• The refusal was unreasonable given the circumstances
• The conditions attached are unreasonable

On a consent street, you have no formal right of appeal. You can ask the council to reconsider informally, or apply for a different location.

Applying Across Multiple Councils

If you trade in more than one council area, you need to go through this process separately for each council. That means separate forms, separate fees, separate renewal dates, and separate conditions.

A few tips for managing multiple applications:

• Start with your highest-priority trading areas — the ones with the most footfall or revenue
• Apply well in advance, especially for London boroughs and popular city centre pitches
• Keep a record of every application date, fee paid, renewal date, and council contact
• Set reminders for renewals — at least 8 weeks before each licence expires

Not sure if you have everything ready? Try our free compliance checker for a quick assessment, or use the startup checklist generator for a personalised list based on your trading plans. StreetComply is building a full dashboard to track all of this in one place — join the waitlist to get notified when it launches.

Sources

• Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, Schedule 4 — Street Trading
• GOV.UK — Street Trading Licence
• London Local Authorities Act 1990