Charity collection licences

House to House Collections

House to House Collections Act 1939 and House to House Regulations 1947

Persons wishing to make an appeal to members of the public by means of a collection for charitable purposes, visiting premises, house to house including businesses such as public houses require a licence.

To apply for a permit contact the Environmental Health Department by phone on 01273 484355, e-mail ehealth@lewes.gov.uk, fax on 01273 484451 or by letter, to arrange a suitable period for the collection. 

Major towns available are Lewes, Seaford, Newhaven and Peacehaven. Alternatively, specific areas within the district, or the whole of the Lewes District Council area would also be available for house to house collections.   A suitable period for a House to House collection would normally be one or two weeks.   At least 28 days’ notice is required of the proposed collection.  We will try to ensure that only one organisation will be authorised to carry out a collection in any given area over a set period.  However, we have no official powers to restrict charitable organisations that wish to carry out collections under their Home Office Exemption Certificate, even if these collections may 'clash' with a Local Authority permitted collection.   An application form and copy of the regulations will be sent to the applicant.  Further information about the relevant charitable purpose/organisation may be requested at this stage.   On receipt of a satisfactory application dates will be allocated, subject to availability, and a permit issued.  This will be sent to you, together with a copy of the regulations,  a 'return' form (the Form of Account) and a 'Certificate of Information of the Stationery Office' (in order to apply for the prescribed Certificate of Authority and Badges).  The 'return form' should be sent back to us within one month from the date of the collection. Charitable Organisations who have been issued permits will be sent a reminder letter annually (in July) inviting them to renew their permits for the coming year.

See the relevant documents section at the bottom of this page for a copy of the House to house collection guidance notes.

Street Collections

Police Factories etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916

Persons wishing to make a collection on behalf of a Charitable cause in a street or public place require a permit from the Council.

To apply for a permit contact the Environmental Health Department by phone on 01273 484355, e-mail ehealth@lewes.gov.uk, fax on 01273 484451 or by letter, to arrange a suitable period for the collection.

Major towns available are Lewes, Seaford, Newhaven and Peacehaven.  All villages within the district are also available.  Permits are issued for one day only and only one collection per day is permitted in any one town or parish, with the exception of 5th November (Bonfire Night) in Lewes, when all Lewes Bonfire Societies have special dispensation to collect on behalf of charity.

An application form and copy of the regulations will be sent to the applicant.  Further information about the relevant charitable purpose/organisation may be requested at this stage.

On receipt of a satisfactory application dates will be allocated, subject to availability, and a permit issued.  This will be sent to you, together with a copy of the regulations and a 'return' form (the Form of Statement). The 'return form' should be sent back to us within one month from the date of the collection.

Charitable Organisations who have been issued permits will be sent a reminder letter annually (in July) inviting them to renew their permits for the coming year.

See the relevant documents section below for a copy of the Street collections standard licence conditions.