Guide Pavement licensing

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2. Apply for a pavement licence

East Devon District Council now have the authority to issue Pavement Licences for up to 2-years duration following amendment of the Business and Planning Act 2020

Before applying for a pavement licence please make sure you have read The Government Guidance, our information page about pavement licences and our schedule of conditions for pavement licences

How to apply

Applications must be made using our online application form, uploading all the necessary documents and paying the current fee which is non-refundable.

Due to the volume of applications and queries, the licensing team cannot help you filling in the form.

An existing licence granted by this Council must be renewed at least 4 weeks before it expires.  Licences previously issued by Devon County Council under the previous Highways Act 1980 regime can no longer be renewed by Devon County Council, and East Devon businesses are now advised to apply to East Devon District Council for their pavement licence instead.

Start the journey

Start

More info about the journey

Before applying you must have:

  • public liability insurance for a minimum of £5 million
  • contact neighbouring businesses and occupiers prior to applying to the local authority and take any issues around noise and nuisance into consideration as part of the process
  • pay the current fee of £100
  • colour photographs, or brochures drawings showing the design, dimension, colour and materials of the tables and chairs you propose to use
  • a map of the business premises, outlined in blue, showing relationship to surrounding area
  • a map of the business premises, outlined in blue with the new area applied for marked in red
  • a map outlining the seating area being applied for

When we receive your application we'll check it to make sure it's been completed correctly and will email you to:

  • acknowledge receipt of your application
  • send you a Public Notice template which must be fixed to the premises in a visible position. This Notice must remain in place for 14 days (excluding public holidays), beginning the day after the applications is accepted by the authority.  You will need to send, dated, photographic evidence that the notice is in place.
  • start the consultation process 
  • visit the location to check the notice. If your notice is not clearly displayed, the consultation will stop. A new application and fee will be required to start again.
  • seek the necessary permission from Devon County Council Highways department for your application. If permission is not approved, we cannot grant the licence the licence under any circumstances.