Do you need a skip permit in West Bromwich?
Yes, if the skip goes on the public highway, which includes the road, the pavement and grass verges. Sandwell Council issues the permit, and it is needed even if the skip will only be on the highway for a short time. A skip on your own driveway or front garden does not need a permit, and in that case the council does not require you to use one of its registered suppliers.
What a skip permit costs in Sandwell
Sandwell Council charges a set fee for a permit covering up to 10 days, with a lower fee for each further 10 day renewal. A much higher retrospective fee applies if a skip is placed on the highway without a permit, so make sure the permit is in place before delivery. The council asks for 3 days' notice, although it says permits are usually issued on the day the application arrives.
Only the skip company can apply, and only companies on the council's register of skip suppliers can get a permit. To join, a company signs a declaration and shows public liability insurance of at least £5 million, which the council reviews each year. As the householder, you are responsible for checking the permit has been granted before the skip arrives, and you can ask your supplier for a copy. Our skip permit guide explains how permits work in general.
Council rules for a skip on the road
- Only one skip per property at a time.
- The skip can be no bigger than 3 metres by 2 metres.
- It should normally sit on the carriageway, long side parallel to the kerb and as close to the edge as practical. On a pavement or verge, boards must protect the surface.
- It must not block access to properties or the passage of pedestrians.
- Each end must be painted yellow, with two red and yellow reflective markers per end, and the owner's name and phone number or address marked clearly.
- At least three traffic cones must be placed around it, with a lamp on each corner lit during darkness.
- No asbestos, fridges or freezers, gas bottles, car batteries, tyres, fluorescent tubes, TVs, computer screens, or flammable, dangerous or rotting waste.
- The load must be level, nothing may fall out or blow dust, and the road must be left clean when the permit ends.
- The permit must be available to inspect at the site.
Skips in pay and display bays
If the skip will take up a pay and display bay, the supplier must arrange the bay separately with the council's parking service as well as getting the highway permit. Where yellow lines or waiting limits apply, the council may add extra conditions to the permit.
Recycling centres near West Bromwich
Sandwell has one household recycling centre, on Shidas Lane in Oldbury (B69 2BP). It opens every day from 8am to 4pm, and from 7am between 1 June and 30 September, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Every visit must be booked, up to two weeks ahead, and only Sandwell residents can use it. Bring your booking reference and proof of address for the property the waste came from, or you will be turned away.
- Plasterboard, soil and ceramics, and hardcore and rubble are each limited to eight bags or 200kg per month, and dusty material must be in sealed bags.
- Household asbestos is taken only by following the council's asbestos procedure, and trade asbestos is not accepted.
- Vans, pickups and cars with trailers can book one visit every four weeks, and vehicle size limits apply. Book the slot before you hire a van.
- No trade or business waste, including waste from landlords clearing properties.
Bulky waste collection in Sandwell
Sandwell Council collects bulky household items for a charge based on how many items you book, up to eight per collection, with a separate charge for fridges and freezers. Households with someone over 60 get one free collection every 12 months of up to four items or one fridge or freezer. Each item must be under six feet on every side and light enough for two people to carry. Book online, put the items out by 6am on the day, and note that bookings cannot be cancelled.
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 West Bromwich: common questions
Do I need a permit for a skip on my drive in Sandwell?
No. Sandwell Council only requires a permit when the skip is on the highway, so a skip on your driveway or front garden needs none.
Who applies for a skip permit in West Bromwich?
The skip company does, and it must be on Sandwell Council's register of skip suppliers with at least £5 million of public liability insurance.
How long does a Sandwell skip permit last?
Up to 10 days. If you need the skip for longer, the supplier renews the permit in further 10 day blocks.
Can I take rubble to the Oldbury tip instead?
Yes, if you are a Sandwell resident with a booking, but hardcore, rubble, soil and plasterboard are each capped at eight bags or 200kg a month. Bigger clear-outs usually suit a skip. Skip hire in Dudley and the wider West Midlands is covered on separate pages.
Council details checked October 2026. Fees, opening times and booking rules can change, so confirm them with the council or your supplier.