Licensing Overview

What is licensing?

Licensing enables the national and local governing authorities to properly monitor and encourage best practice within a large number of commercial and social areas. If you or your organisation wishes to engage in certain types of business or entertainment, for example, you will need to apply for an appropriate licence.

What information is available on this website?

The licensing pages on this website cover the areas for which the City of Edinburgh Council is responsible.

For which licences can I apply?

The City of Edinburgh Council licences are divided into the following categories:

• Civic
• Animal Protection
• Entertainment
• Gambling
• Hair and skin
• Liquor
• Taxi and Private Hire.

Are there charges for licence applications and renewals?

Yes, for most types of licence there is a fee structure.  You can view this on the following document:

Application Types and Fees

Can I apply online?

Not directly, but the licensing pages on this website contain the relevant downloadable application forms and guides as well as the contact details and further information you need to take your application to the next stage.