Site hoarding rules in London: what builders need to know before ordering

A hoarding is on show every day of the build. Done well, it keeps the site safe and tidy and sells the finished project to everyone walking past. Done in a rush, it can mean a missing licence, an unhappy council officer or panels that do not line up. This guide covers the general rules builders in London should know, and what to have ready before you order printed hoarding panels.

Good to know Rules vary from borough to borough and change over time. This article is general guidance, not legal advice, so always check the latest requirements with your local authority.

Do you need a licence for a site hoarding in London?

If any part of the hoarding, scaffold or fencing sits on the public highway, which includes the pavement, you will usually need a licence from the highway authority before it goes up. In London that is normally your borough council. On red routes, which are part of the Transport for London road network, TfL is the highway authority instead.

Hoardings beside streets during building works are covered by the Highways Act 1980, section 172, and each council runs its own application process. As an example, here is Hillingdon Council's scaffold and hoarding licence page; your own borough will have a similar one.

If the hoarding sits entirely within your own site boundary, a highway licence is not usually needed, but other rules, such as planning conditions, may still apply.

Pro tip Apply early. Councils need time to process licences, and the print can be ready long before the paperwork is.

What conditions come with a hoarding licence?

Every borough sets its own conditions, but licences commonly cover things like:

• keeping a safe, clear route for pedestrians, including wheelchair and pushchair users
• lighting the hoarding at night where needed
• keeping it in good condition and free of graffiti and fly posting
• public liability insurance
• how long it can stay up, and renewing the licence if the build overruns
• contact details for the site displayed on the hoarding

Read your licence before the artwork is finalised. If it asks for contact panels or specific information, we can design those into the run so everything matches.

Hoarding

Safety signs

Real jobs: a charcoal and orange ACM hoarding with big, clear contact details for Focus Property Creations, and colour coded site safety signage.

Can you advertise on a site hoarding?

Yes, and most developers do: CGIs of the finished building, branding, “coming soon” messages and sales contact details turn a plain fence into a hard working advert. Outdoor adverts in England are controlled under the Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007.

Some adverts on building site hoardings can benefit from deemed consent, which means no separate application, but conditions apply and the rules are stricter in places such as conservation areas. Third party advertising, lighting and very large displays can also change the picture. Check the Planning Portal guidance on adverts and signs, and ask the local planning authority if you are unsure.

What safety rules apply to site hoardings?

Construction sites need to be secured so members of the public cannot wander in. The CDM Regulations 2015 guidance from the HSE covers this, and a solid perimeter hoarding is how most London sites do it. A few practical points:

• Use clear safety signs at entrances: hard hats, hi vis, visitors report to the site office, no unauthorised access.
• Make sure gates and doors are obvious and match the panel layout.
• Keep the hoarding sound and the graphics in good repair. A tired, peeling hoarding reflects badly on the site.

We print Correx and ACM safety signs that match your hoarding graphics, so the whole perimeter looks like one job.

ACM or vinyl: which suits your hoarding?

Standard 2440 × 1220 mm (8 × 4 ft) sheets are the most cost effective starting point, and long runs can carry one continuous design split across panels. Not sure which board? Our guide to foamex vs Correx vs ACM explains the difference.

What do you need before ordering hoarding panels?

Work through this list and your quote, design and install will go much faster:

1. Licence sorted (if on the highway). Apply to the council, or TfL on red routes, in good time. Licences often come with conditions, so read them before the panels are designed.
2. Measured every run. Record the length and height of each stretch, plus corners, returns and gate or door positions.
3. Panel count and layout. Standard panels are 2440 × 1220 mm. Tell us how many and in what order so the artwork lines up across them.
4. How long the site runs. Long builds suit printed ACM. Short jobs on existing boards suit vinyl.
5. Information panels. Site name, contractor, contact numbers, out of hours contact and any details the council or client asks for.
6. Safety signs. Hard hats, hi vis, no unauthorised access and site entrance notices. These can be printed as matching panels.
7. Artwork and CGIs. Print ready PDFs with 3mm bleed, or send what you have and our studio will set it up.
8. Finish and fitting. Gloss or matt laminate, anti graffiti protection, and whether you need our team to install.

Every job gets a free artwork check before it is printed. If your file is RGB we can convert it to CMYK, but there is a possibility of colour change.

Get your hoarding printed, the right way

We print hoarding graphics for construction sites, retail fit outs and new developments right across London, from our studio in Uxbridge close to the A40. Our team can design the artwork, print the panels and install them on site. See printed site hoarding in London for more.