Many pubs, restaurants, wine bars and cafés may wish to have seating and tables outside their premises for the use of their customers.

Where the pavement concerned is part of the public highway, planning permission and a highway licence will need to be obtained. This is to ensure that adequate space is available for the safe and free movement of all highway users and that consideration is given to the location of the amenity in terms of possible noise disturbance for local residents and nearby shops and offices.

Planning permission should be sought from your borough/district council while Surrey County Council (the highway authority) is responsible for issuing the highway licence. Our local transportation offices will deal with applications within their area.

If you would like to apply for a highway licence please telephone our Contact Centre on 08456 009 009, your local transportation office, or download an application form (see PDF link below). Please read the guidance notes before filling in the form.

The terms and conditions are attached to the application form below.