Renfrewshire Council

Road permissions and permits

Occupying, opening or closing a road, creating a new access across a footway, placing a skip on a road, placing wires, beams or cables over a road, lacing, painting or fixing a sign, notice or picture, application to use portable light signals, street markets, stalls or displays.

There are certain circumstances when you will need our permission for a road-related activity.


Occupy the road

You'll need to apply for permission to occupy a road temporarily for building materials, for example, scaffolding, storage of materials, siting of crane or hoarding.

Two metres unobstructed access will be required in lines with Coronavirus guidance.

The charge is per month or part thereof, and relates to public or private road networks.

To apply, complete the  application form for for permission to occupy road space temporarily for building operations (TOR1) [109KB] .


Open a road

You'll need permission to

  • carry out excavations on roads and footpaths
  • place apparatus in a road, such as a sewer connection at a new house.  

The permission relates to public or private road networks. First week of opening, with a charge for each additional week or part week thereafter.  

To apply, you'll need to complete a  road opening permit form [123KB] .


Close a road

You'll need permission to close a road for a street party or community event. This applies to public or private road networks.

See the Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTRO) page for information and an application form. 


Create access across a footway

This can include formation of a driveway or vehicle crossover. It applies to both public road networks.

Allows residents and businesses to take access to a road across an existing footway. The fee covers the processing of the application and relates to public road network. 

You'll need to complete an crossover permit application form [71KB]  or write to us at the address listed. 


Place a skip on a road 

Relates to public or private road networks.  To apply, please call us on the telephone number listed.


Place wires, beams or cables over a road 

An example would be wires to carry bunting for a community event. No charge, relates to public or private road networks.  To apply please e-mail or write to us at the address below.


Place, paint or fix a sign, notice or picture

No charge, relates to public or private road networks. To apply please e-mail or write to us at the address below.


Use portable light signals 

If you are a contractors or operate a public utility company, you will need a permit from the Council when using portable traffic signals.

There is a one month minimum charge.

You'll need to complete the application form to use portable light signals [105KB] .

In addition to these activities, any hauliers transporting their vehicle in or around Renfrewshire must notify us of their intended vehicle movement.


Consent for a street cafe, street market, stall or display

There is no charge for this but it applies to both public road networks.

To apply, complete the consent form for a street cafe, street market, stall or display [136KB] .


Parking bays

If you are using parking bays, tariff charges will apply as well as any permit charges.

See a list of car park and parking bay tariffs in Paisley.