Car Boot Sales

Markets and Car Boot Sales

Information on how to obtain planning permission for a car boot sale.

Car boot sales, markets or similar event where people sell or are invited to sell goods, materials or other items to the general public are subject to control by the law. They all come under the general heading of a 'market'. Many sales tend to be single events to support a charity, school or similar body. More often they are organised to raise money for a club or are overtly a commercial venture.

Traffic, noise, smell and crowds can all affect the amenity of the area around the site where the market or sale is held. There are a number of legal procedures which affect such events if markets get out of control our whole environment is adversely affected.

The Council do have powers to control or prohibit such events and may exercises those powers where amenities are likely to be seriously affected.

Information on Car Boot Sales

You do not require planning permission for car boot sales if the land in question is not within the curtilage of a building (i.e. if it is an open field or similar), not a caravan site, and not a Site of Specific Interest. The car boot sales could then lawfully be held on up to 14 days in any calendar year. Any more than that would need planning permission.

If the land in questions is within the curtilage of a building (e.g. a pub or school car park), then planning permission would be needed for car boot sales, regardless of frequency, if they constitute a material change of use of that land.

If in doubt, people are always recommended to seek written clarification from the local planning authority, before proceeding with any planned events.