Charity street collections - guidance

If you are making money for charity in your street collection, you will need a street collections permit.

You do not need to apply to us for a permit if:

• the collection is to be in an area where there is no general public right of access (eg inside a private dwelling or business premises). You will need the permission of the landowner.
• you are simply selling articles or goods on the street in the ordinary course of trade for the purpose of earning a living.  Other permits or authorisation may be required for street trading purposes.

We will usually:

• only permit four collections per year by any individual or organisation
• only issue permits to an individual or organisation whose aims appear to be charitable
• not issue further permits to an individual or organisation whose collectors are paid more than we consider “reasonable expenses”
• not issue further permits to an individual or organisation that has cancelled a street collection at less than 1 week's notice or on more than 1 occasion in the last 3 years
• not normally issue permits to an individual or organisation that has held an unlawful street or house to house collection within our area, or that of another local authority.

You must be 16 years or over to be part of a collection.

• Applications must be made at least 28 days before the collection date
• Only one charity collection is allowed at a time in any Waverley town
• We normally limit charities to one collection in each of the main towns (Cranleigh, Farnham, Godalming and Haslemere) per calendar year
• You may wish to check the availability of your preferred date before applying – email charity@waverley.gov.uk
• You must submit a completed returns form within one month of your collection. Download the street collection return form.

Apply for street collection

There is no fee for a street collections permit.

Failure to comply with the strict regulations and guidelines for a street collection could result in the refusal to grant a permit.

You could be fined £200 if you collect money for charity without a permit.

Please see the Guidance from the Fundraising Regulator on fundraising and Covid19 . Please ensure you follow all national and local Covid restrictions in force at the time of your collection.

See our charitable collections guidelines and regulations

Email: charity@waverley.gov.uk