Do you need a skip permit in Bristol?
Yes, if the skip will sit on the public highway. Bristol City Council issues the permit, and only the company that owns the skip can apply, so your supplier handles it. The permit is for skips on the highway, so a skip kept entirely on your own driveway or land is not covered by it. Outside the city, the highway authority for the address issues the permit and sets its own fee.
What a skip permit costs in Bristol
Bristol City Council's published fee is £90 for a calendar month. Each permit lasts one calendar month, so a longer hire needs a fresh application. A retrospective permit for a skip already placed without one costs £144 for every calendar month it was out.
The skip company must apply online at least 5 working days before the skip goes down. Postal and emailed applications are rejected, and payment must be made before the council processes the application. The council aims to reply within 5 days, and if the company has no answer after 21 days it can treat the application as granted. The company must hold third-party insurance of at least £5 million for any one incident and show it if asked. Our skip permit guide explains how permits work across the UK.
Council rules for a skip on the road
- Normally only one skip is allowed on any 20 metre stretch of highway. More may be allowed in exceptional cases, such as a corner site that can't fit a larger container, but they must be requested on the application.
- In the city centre or a Residents Permit Scheme area, a parking dispensation is needed before the permit application.
- The skip must not obstruct other road users, and all skip regulations must be followed.
- The same permit covers skip bags and roll-on roll-off containers on the highway.
- A skip on the highway without a permit can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 under the Highways Act, as well as a more expensive retrospective permit.
- Refunds are only considered if the council is asked before the permit is processed.
Recycling centres in Bristol
Bristol City Council has three reuse and recycling centres for Bristol residents:
- St Philips: Folly Lane, off Days Road, BS2 0QS. Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
- Avonmouth: Kings Weston Lane, BS11 0YS. Open Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
- Hartcliffe Way: 83 Hartcliffe Way, BS3 5RN. Open Wednesday to Sunday.
On open days the sites run from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and from 8am to 4pm at weekends. You must book a visit, up to two weeks ahead, and bring photo ID with a council tax or utility bill showing a Bristol address. Business, trade and construction waste is not allowed.
Some DIY waste is charged under the council's published rates:
- Soil, rubble and hardcore: up to 100 litres free per visit, then £3 a bag or item. Keep them separate, because mixed loads are refused.
- Plasterboard: £5 a sheet or bag if it is clean, or £9 if tiles or foil insulation are attached.
- Asbestos: cement-bonded only, double wrapped in polythene and taped. It costs £11 a sheet or bag, with a limit of one sheet or bag a week and a maximum sheet size of 3 m by 1.5 m.
- One sheet of plasterboard or asbestos is free per visit. Pay online when you book, and pay for any extra by card on site.
Vans, pick-ups and trailers over 1.52 metres need a council permit. You apply with your V5 logbook, driving licence and a recent council tax or utility bill, and approval can take up to 5 working days. A permit allows 12 visits in 12 months. Vehicles taller than 2.4 metres can only use Hartcliffe Way. For a bigger DIY job, a skip usually works out simpler than repeated charged trips.
Bulky waste collection in Bristol
Bristol City Council collects bulky household items for a published fee, paid by card when you book:
- Non-soft items such as fridges, bed frames and mattresses: £27 for up to 3 items, or £52 for 4 to 6 items.
- Soft furnishings such as sofas and armchairs: £26.50 for one item, £41.50 for two or £52 for three. These need a separate booking.
Items must be light enough for two people to carry and no longer than 2 metres. The council will not take building or DIY waste, soil, garden waste, tyres, car parts, paint or chemicals, business waste (including landlords' furniture), or soaked mattresses and sofas. Book online or by phone. Put items on the kerb outside your property, visible from the road, by 7am on the collection day. To get a refund, cancel at least 5 working days before the collection.
Choosing a size
For heavy waste like soil or rubble, most suppliers limit you to a smaller skip, often 6 yards or less, because weight rather than volume is the limit. The size guide works it out from what you are clearing.
Skip hire in Bristol: common questions
How much is a skip permit in Bristol?
Bristol City Council charges £90 for a permit covering one calendar month. If a skip is placed without a permit, the retrospective permit costs £144 for each month it was on the highway.
Can I apply for a Bristol skip permit myself?
No. Only the company that owns the skip can apply, online, at least 5 working days before delivery. Ask your supplier to confirm the permit is included before you book.
Do I need anything extra in a residents' parking area?
Yes. In a Residents Permit Scheme area or the city centre, a parking dispensation is needed before the skip permit can be applied for, so allow extra time.
Can I have two skips outside my house in Bristol?
Usually only one skip is allowed per 20 metres of highway. The council may agree to more in exceptional cases, but the supplier must request them on the application.
Council details checked October 2026. Fees, opening times and booking rules can change, so confirm them with the council or your supplier.