Licensing - Collecting for charitable purposes

Street Collection Licences

All street collections need to be licensed by the local authority, in pursuance of Section 5 of the Police, Factories etc (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916.

A Charity Street Licence is required if you wish to make a charitable tin collection in the street, in a public or private place.

In the first instance you should telephone 0044 (0)1993 861530 to provisionally book a date.
There is no financial cost to the organiser.
An application form can be downloaded together with a copy of the street collection regulations. The completed form must be returned at least one month prior to the date of collection.
West Oxfordshire District Council may, in granting the licence, limit the collection to certain parts of the street/place.
After the collection has taken place a financial return form must be returned to the Council within one month.
Licences are valid for one day.

After you have returned the application form, if you have not heard from West Oxfordshire District Council by the end of the target completion period, the licence is deemed granted.

Apply online

Apply for a street collection permit

House to House Collection Licences

A House to House Collection Licence under the House to House Collections Act 1939 and 1947 Amendment Act is required if you wish to collect money or any other goods such as clothes on the doorstep of private dwellings and places of business.

In the first instance you should telephone 0044 (0)1993 861530 to provisionally book a date.
There is no financial cost to the organiser in obtaining a permit.
An application form can be downloaded together with a copy of the house to house collection regulations. The completed form must be returned at least one month prior to the start date of the collection.
West Oxfordshire District Council may, in granting the licence, limit the collection to certain parts of the street/place/area.
Many of the large well-known charities hold a Home Office Exemption Certificate which means that no licence is required, however notice must be given to the Council as the licensing authority
A licence will not be granted for a period of longer than 12 months.
This licensing authority may refuse a licence, or where granted, may revoke it in circumstances specified in The Act.
After the collection has taken place a financial return form must be returned to the Council within one month.

Regulation summary

View a summary of the eligibility criteria for this licence

After you have returned the application form, if you have not heard from West Oxfordshire District Council by the end of the target completion period, the licence is deemed granted.

Apply for a house-to-house collection licence

Small Society Lotteries

All Small Society Lotteries require registration under the Gambling Act 2005. This Registration is needed when your organisation intends to sell printed raffle tickets in advance of the date on which the draw will take place. The Small Society Lottery registration is mainly for charitable purposes.

All Small Society Lotteries must be registered with the Local Authority in which its principle office is situated.
In the first instance you should telephone 0044 (0)1993 861530 to request an application form.
The completed application form should be returned with the £40.00 for initial registration.
The registration operates on a calendar year basis and after the initial registration, an annual fee of £20.00 has to be paid within 2 months prior to the 31 December each year if the registration is to remain in force.

We recommend you visit the Gambling Commission's website to ensure that your organisation qualifies under the regulations before you complete the application form.

After you have returned the application form, if you have not heard from West Oxfordshire District Council by the end of the target completion period, the licence is deemed granted.