Special and temporary structures
Do you need a licence?
Temporary structures (marquees, stages, rigs, etc) and permanent special structures (sculptures, etc) may require a section 30 licence.
Call 020 7332 1000 to find out whether your structure needs a licence.
Special and temporary structures
Special and temporary structures where they can be interacted with by members of the public, including those in public areas, should be in accordance with Part IV, Section 30 of the London Building Acts (Amendment) Act 1939.
To ensure the safety of the public these structures must meet standards in relation to structure, means of escape and fire. A Section 30 licence is required before special and temporary structures can be erected.
Apply for a licence
To apply for a licence please fill out the form: Special and temporary structures application form
Our charges for processing an application vary depending on the type and scale of the work involved. The charges schedule can be found below. If you have difficulty assessing the amount payable please contact us.
This guidance note is intended to give advice on the use of special or temporary structures within the City of London and how to make an application under Section 30 of the London Building Acts (Amendment) Act 1939. We understand that a quick turnaround is essential when it comes to temporary structures and we therefore offer a rapid service and we are more than happy to discuss your proposal before a formal application is made to ensure that no undue delays are encountered.
Legislation and guidance that applies
Section 30 of the London Building Acts (Amendment) Act 1939 controls special and temporary structures within Inner London and deals mainly with their structural stability. The document does not however provide much guidance on how to do this. We would recommend that you follow the guidance outlined in the current editions of the Institution of Structural Engineers publication ‘Temporary demountable structures: Guidance on procurement, design and use’ and the Departments for Culture, Media and Sport’s ‘Guide to Safety at Sport Grounds’.
What is a special or temporary structure?
A temporary structure is one that is in place for a short time only, typically no longer than 28 days, that is designed to be erected and dismantled manually. They are usually lightweight structures that are used for a wide variety of public and private events. They include, but are not limited to, grandstands, marquees, stages and other structures usually exempt from Building Regulations. A special structure is a temporary structure that may only be being used for a single event or is being used in an unusual circumstance. Due to their more unique nature a special structure could be subject more rigorous checking than a temporary structure and therefore we recommend allowing a bit more time for the application to be processed.
How to make an application and information that we need to assess your submission
Making an application is a simple process that involves submitting an application form along with supporting information and the relevant fee. When submitting your application we would appreciate some supporting information to help us process your application quickly and efficiently. What we would like to see is:
- A site/location plan.
- A plan and elevations showing the proposed structure.
- A method statement outlining the procedures in place for ensuring the structure has been erected correctly.
- Insurance/accreditation documentation.
- The system specification if a particular unitised system is to be used.
- Calculations from a structural engineer (preferably independent)showing that the structure will adequately resist all the forces imposed upon it.
- Calculations from a structural engineer (preferably independent) showing that the extra load can be supported by the area on which the structure is to be erected whether it be a road, roof, grass or other location.
Things to consider
It’s worth bearing in mind that there are other City of London Teams that may need to be informed about your structure. It would therefore be beneficial to contact the following to ensure that the structure does not accidentally contravene any other legislation:
| Team | Telephone number |
|---|---|
| Environmental Health | 020 7332 3630 |
| Trading Standards | 020 7332 3406 |
| Planning | 020 7332 1710 |
| Highways | 020 7332 3553 / 020 7332 3554 |
You may also need to notify the Health and Safety Executive. If you have any queries about special or temporary structures and our role or if you are unable to contact any of the above please feel free to contact District Surveyors or call the team on 020 7332 1000.
If you would like to discuss the charges for a particular project or need any help with the application or this table, please phone us on 020 7332 1000.
There is no VAT applicable on the Section 30 charge.
| Type of application | Capacity | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Erecting a special building or structure intended to be kept permanently. | N/A | To be agreed based on details of structure. Please contact us for a detailed quote. |
| Erecting a Grandstand to be used for a special event. | Up to 600 Seats | £580 |
| Erecting a Grandstand to be used for a special event. | Over 600 Seats | To be agreed based on details of structure. Please contact us for a detailed quote. |
| Erecting a Framed tower for loudspeakers, lighting, video screens, etc. | N/A | £500 (+50% for each additional tower of a similar type) |
| Erecting a structure of a complex nature or an air inflated structure. | N/A | To be agreed based on details of structure. Please contact us for a detailed quote. |
| Erecting a marquee for a special event. |
Marquee up to 30m.sq Marquee over 30m.sq |
£500 £700 |