Do you need a skip permit in Solihull?
Yes, if the skip goes on the public highway, which includes the road, the pavement and the verge. Solihull Council issues skip permits across the borough, including Shirley, Knowle, Dorridge and Chelmsley Wood. GOV.UK guidance says a skip that sits entirely on private land, such as your own drive, does not need a licence. The council can also refuse a permit when there is a practical place for the skip off the highway, so check first whether it could go on your drive.
What a skip licence costs in Solihull
Solihull Council charges £89.50 per skip from 1 April 2026, with no VAT, and its 2026/27 guidance says the charge covers each 30-day period or any part of one. The permit itself is initially limited to one week. The council grants extensions only in exceptional circumstances, and the request must reach it at least two working days before the permit runs out.
The skip company applies, not the customer. It must register with the council as a skip operator, be a registered waste carrier and hold public liability insurance of at least £5 million in its own name for the whole permit period. Applications must reach the council at least 2 clear working days before the skip is delivered, so book your skip with that in mind. Once approved, the permit is issued with a number, and a copy must be available for a council officer or police officer to inspect. Our skip permit guide explains how permits work in general.
Council rules for a skip on the road
- The skip can be no more than 2 metres wide and 5 metres long.
- Both ends must be painted yellow and kept clean, and the owner's name and address or phone number must be clearly and permanently marked.
- On the road, the skip sits with its long side parallel to the kerb, 200 to 400 millimetres from the kerb edge, with red and yellow end markings.
- At least seven cones guard a skip on the road, three on the approach at each end and one midway, and skips less than 2 metres apart are guarded as one unit.
- Lamps must be lit at the corners and between the cones from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and in poor visibility.
- A skip on a pavement or verge needs barriers and lit lamps during darkness, and it must not block access or the free passage of pedestrians.
- A warning sign is needed if the skip cannot be seen from 46 metres away in either direction.
- The skip must be emptied as soon as practical, and no later than two working days after it is filled, and the road must be left clean and tidy when the permit ends.
- The owner pays for any damage the skip causes to the road, pavement or verge. The council can remove and impound a skip that breaks the rules, at the owner's cost.
Recycling centres near Solihull
Solihull Council's household waste and recycling centre is at Bickenhill, on Coventry Road (B92 0DY). Only Solihull residents can use it, and every visit must be booked in advance for a 15-minute slot, with new slots released daily up to three weeks ahead. Bring your booking reference and proof that you live in the borough, such as a utility bill, on paper or on your phone.
- Summer hours (1 April to 31 October): 9am to 5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9am to 6.30pm on Tuesdays, and 9am to 4.30pm at weekends.
- Winter hours (1 November to 31 March): 9am to 4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9am to 5.30pm on Tuesdays, and 9am to 4pm at weekends.
- Rubble and soil: hardcore, rubble and soil are accepted.
- Asbestos: not accepted at the site. Use the council's asbestos permit scheme or an approved contractor.
- Vans and trailers: vans, pick-ups, campervans and cars towing a large trailer need a council permit, which is now digital, and permit holders can only visit at set times.
Bulky waste collection in Solihull
Solihull Council collects up to six bulky items per visit. It charges £42 for one item, £47 for two or three, £57.50 for four or five and £63 for six, and it no longer offers a concession rate. Items that come apart, such as a bed base and mattress, count separately. Book online after reading the council's terms, and put items out near the roadside by 8am on the day.
The council will not take DIY waste, rubble, soil, plaster, plasterboard, tiles, timber, slabs, roofing materials, fencing, sheds, windows or doors that are mostly glass, or items over 2 metres long or 50 kilograms. It will not collect from back gardens, garages or inside the house, and house clearances are not covered. For building and renovation waste, a skip is the usual route.
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 Solihull: common questions
How much is a skip permit in Solihull?
£89.50 per skip from 1 April 2026, with no VAT. It is charged for each 30-day period or part of one, and your skip company applies and pays it, so ask for a hire price that includes it.
How much notice does Solihull Council need?
At least 2 clear working days before the skip goes on the road. The skip company makes the application.
How long can a skip stay on a Solihull road?
The permit is first issued for one week. Extensions are granted only in exceptional circumstances and must be requested at least two working days before the permit ends.
Can I take rubble to the Bickenhill tip?
Yes. Bickenhill accepts hardcore, rubble and soil from Solihull residents, but you must book a slot first, and the bulky collection will not take building waste. See also skip hire in Birmingham, Coventry and the wider West Midlands.
Council details checked October 2026. Fees, opening times and booking rules can change, so confirm them with the council or your supplier.