England › South East (unitary and metropolitan councils)
Garden clearance rules in Brighton and Hove
Registration details checked against official sources, October 2026. Council rules vary and change, so the answers must come from the council itself.
If you clear gardens or carry waste in Brighton and Hove, you need the right waste carrier registration, a signed waste transfer note for each job, and to follow Brighton and Hove’s own rules on tipping, trees, skips and parking. Those local rules are set by the council, so ask them directly.
It depends where the job is, not where you live
Council rules apply where the work happens. If you are based in one council and clear a garden in the next one, you need to follow the rules of the council you worked in, on top of your registration. A job that crosses an area means checking every council it touches.
Registration in England
Register with the Environment Agency if your business is based in England, or most of your work is there. Upper tier registration on gov.uk costs £191.02 for a new application and £130.25 to renew every three years. Carrying waste as a business without the right registration can lead to an unlimited fine. An Environment Agency registration lets you carry waste anywhere in Great Britain, including Wales and Scotland. It does not cover Northern Ireland. Official guidance from Environment Agency.
Who to ask in Brighton and Hove
Brighton and Hove is a single-tier council, so one council usually covers collections, recycling centres, parking and the roads. Some areas share waste disposal arrangements with neighbouring councils, so ask who handles what.
Brighton and Hove City Council. Find your council by postcode on gov.uk.
Six questions to ask Brighton and Hove
- Tipping: Which tips or transfer stations take trade waste? Is a permit, account or booking needed, and what do they charge per load?
- Trees and hedges: How do I check for tree preservation orders and conservation areas before cutting? Who do I contact?
- Skips and parking: Do I need a permit to put a skip on the road or to suspend parking? What does it cost?
- Checks and enforcement: How does the council check carriers’ vehicles and paperwork? Who is the enforcement or fly-tipping contact?
- Trade waste and fees: Are there local rules, schemes or charges for businesses clearing customers’ waste?
- Anything else: Any local licences, byelaws or requirements for garden clearance businesses?
Write down the answers, with the date and who you spoke to, and keep them with your records.
Nearby councils
Working across several councils in this area? See the South East (unitary and metropolitan councils) page: 13 councils on one page.
General guidance, not legal advice. Check current rules with Brighton and Hove and the regulator. Disclaimer.