OpenLegislation

Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982

1982 c. 45 · Enacted 28 October 1982 · Extends to England, Wales and Scotland

Not fully up to date. 10 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 26 March 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 39(3)(f)words substitutedCharities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 sch. 4 para. 5(b)
s. 119repealedCharities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 sch. 4 para. 5(c)
s. 49(9)addedCriminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 s. 200(1)(b)
s. 8words insertedCriminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 s. 200(1)(a)
s. 27C(2)repealedCriminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 s. 172(4)(b)
Sch. 2 para. 3words insertedCriminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 s. 200(1)(c)
s. 22(1)(c)repealedAir Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 s. 65(3)
s. 119(6)(d)words insertedCharities Act 1992 Sch. 6 para. 10(b)
s. 51D-51GinsertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 105(1)
s. 52D 52EinsertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 74(1)

An Act to make provision as regards Scotland for the licensing and regulation of certain activities; for the preservation of public order and safety and the prevention crime; for prohibiting the taking of and dealing with indecent photographs of children; as to certain powers of constables and others; as to lost and abandoned property and property in the possession of persons taken into police custody; as to the rights and duties of the owners and users of certain land, buildings and other structures; as to the making by local authorities of byelaws; and to enable them to make management rules applying to land or premises under their control; as to certain other functions of local authorities and their officers; as to the time when the Burgh Police (Scotland) Acts 1892 to 1911 and certain local statutory provisions cease to have effect; and for connected purposes.]

[28th October 1982]C1

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act: power to modify conferred (1.10.2011) by Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 18), ss. 15(1)(c)(ii), 18(1) (with s. 16); S.S.I. 2011/149, art. 2, sch.

Contents

  1. Part I: Licensing—General Provisions
  2. 1Application of Parts I and II of this Act.
  3. 2Licensing authorities.
  4. 3Discharge of functions of licensing authorities.
  5. 3AMandatory licence conditions
  6. 3BStandard licence conditions
  7. 4Further provisions as to licensing.
  8. 5Rights of entry and inspection.
  9. 6Powers of entry to and search of unlicensed premises.
  10. 7Offences, etc.
  11. 8Interpretation of Parts I and II.
  12. Part II: Licensing and Regulation—Particular Activities
  13. 9Application of sections 10 to 27 and 38 to 44.
  14. Licensing and regulation of taxis and private hire cars
  15. 10Taxi and private hire car licences.
  16. 11Inspection and testing of vehicles.
  17. 12Fees for taxi and private hire car licences.
  18. 13Taxi and private hire car driving licences.
  19. 13APersons disqualified by reason of immigration status
  20. 14Signs on vehicles other than taxis.
  21. 15Operation of taxis outside licensing areas.
  22. 16Journeys in England and Wales by vehicles and drivers licensed under this Act.
  23. 17Taxi fares.
  24. 18Appeals in respect of taxi fares.
  25. 18APublication and coming into effect of taxi fares
  26. 19Taxi stances.
  27. 20Regulations relating to taxis and private hire cars and their drivers.
  28. 21Offences.
  29. 22Exemptions
  30. 23Interpretation of sections 10 to 22.
  31. Licensing and regulation of second-hand dealers
  32. 24Second-hand dealers’ licences.
  33. 25Disposal of stock-in-trade.
  34. 26Sellers of second-hand goods: offences etc.
  35. 27Functions of the court in relation to second-hand dealers convicted of offences.
  36. Licensing and regulation of knife dealers
  37. 27AKnife dealers' licences
  38. 27BApplications for knife dealers' licences: notice
  39. 27CKnife dealers' licences: conditions
  40. 27DProvision of information to holder of knife dealer's licence
  41. 27EKnife dealers' licences: warrants to enter, search and seize articles
  42. 27FPowers of constables and authorised officers
  43. 27GPower to inspect documents
  44. 27HSections 27E to 27G: interpretation
  45. 27JForfeiture orders
  46. 27KEffect of forfeiture order
  47. 27LOffences by partnerships
  48. 27MAppropriate licence required
  49. 27NRemote sales of knives etc.
  50. 27PSales and dispatches in different local authority areas
  51. 27QDuty to avoid conflict between conditions of licences
  52. 27ROffences in relation to knife dealers' licences: exceptions
  53. 27SOrders under sections 27A to 27R
  54. Licensing and regulation of metal dealers
  55. 28Metal dealers: licensing and regulation.
  56. 29Metal dealers’ exemption warrants. Repealed
  57. 30Keeping of records. Repealed
  58. 31Retention of metal. Repealed
  59. 32Itinerant metal dealers.
  60. 33Receipts and invoices: itinerant metal dealers. Repealed
  61. 33AAcceptable forms of payment for metal
  62. 33BAcceptable forms of payment: meaning of “bank or building society account”
  63. 33CRequirement to keep records
  64. 33DForm of records
  65. 33EMetal dealer to keep records for each place of business
  66. 34Offences relating to metal dealing.
  67. 35Functions of the court in relation to metal dealers convicted of offences.
  68. 35ARegister of metal dealers and itinerant metal dealers
  69. 36Appropriate licence required.
  70. 37Interpretation of sections 28 to 36.
  71. 37AExemptions
  72. Miscellaneous licences
  73. 38Boat hire licences.
  74. 39Street traders’ licences.
  75. 40Market operators’ licences.
  76. 41Public entertainment licences.
  77. 41AIndoor sports entertainment licences.
  78. 42Late hours catering licences.
  79. 43Window cleaners’ licences.
  80. 44Additional activities.
  81. Part III: Control of sex shops and sexual entertainment venues
  82. 45Control of sex shops.
  83. 45ALicensing of sexual entertainment venues: interpretation
  84. 45BLicensing of sexual entertainment venues
  85. 45CStatements of policy in relation to sexual entertainment venues
  86. 45DDeemed grant of applications
  87. Conditions of licences granted under this Part
  88. 45EMandatory licence conditions
  89. 45FStandard licence conditions
  90. Part 3A: CIVIC LICENSING STANDARDS OFFICERS
  91. 45GCivic licensing standards officers
  92. 45HGeneral functions of a civic licensing standards officer
  93. Part IV: Offences, Powers of Constables, etc.
  94. Offences of annoying, offensive, obstructive or dangerous behaviour
  95. 46Soliciting and importuning by prostitutes.
  96. 47Urinating etc.
  97. 48Dogs: fouling of pavements. Repealed
  98. 49Dangerous and annoying creatures.
  99. 50Drunkenness.
  100. 51Obscene material.
  101. 51AExtreme pornography
  102. 51BExtreme pornography: excluded images
  103. 51CExtreme pornography: defences
  104. 52Indecent photographs etc. of children.
  105. 52APossession of indecent photographs of children.
  106. 52BSections 52 and 52A: exceptions for photographs of 16 and 17 year olds
  107. 52CSection 52B: proof of exceptions
  108. 53Obstruction by pedestrians.
  109. 54Playing instruments, singing, playing radios, etc.
  110. 55Touting.
  111. 56Fires.
  112. Preventive offences
  113. 57Being in or on building etc. with intent to commit theft.
  114. 58Convicted thief in possession.
  115. Powers of constables etc.
  116. 59Powers of arrest and apprehension.
  117. 60Powers of search and seizure.
  118. 61Protection of insecure premises.
  119. Part V: Public Processions
  120. 62Notification of processions.
  121. 63Functions of regional and islands councils in relation to processions.
  122. 64Appeals against orders under section 63.
  123. 65Offences and enforcement.
  124. 65AGuidance to local authorities
  125. 66Relationship of sections 62 to 65 with Public Order Act 1986.
  126. Part VI: Lost and Abandoned Property
  127. 67Duty of finder.
  128. 68Functions of chief constable.
  129. 69Claims by owner etc. prior to disposal.
  130. 70Powers of chief constable regarding rewards.
  131. 71Right arising on disposal of property.
  132. 72Rights to compensation.
  133. 73No right of ownership conferred by finding.
  134. 74Living creatures.
  135. 75Stray dogs.
  136. 76Appeal to sheriff.
  137. 77Financial provisions.
  138. 78Crown application of Part VI.
  139. 79Interpretation of Part VI.
  140. Part VII: Property in Possession of Persons Taken into Police Custody
  141. 80Application of Part VII to property.
  142. 81Chief constable to take charge of property.
  143. 82Provision as to property where the person in custody is the owner etc.
  144. 83Provision as to property where the person in custody is not the owner etc.
  145. 84Appeal to sheriff.
  146. 85Financial provisions: property of persons in custody.
  147. 86Interpretation and Crown application of this Part.
  148. Part VIIA: Property In Unlawful Possession of Persons Taken Into Police Custody and Certain Other Property to which Part VII does not apply
  149. 86AApplication of Part VIIA to property.
  150. 86BCertification by prosecutor.
  151. 86CClaims by owner etc. prior to disposal.
  152. 86DDuty of care etc.
  153. 86EDisposal of relevant property.
  154. 86FRetention of relevant property by Scottish Police Authority
  155. 86GAppeals.
  156. 86HCrown application of Part VIIA.
  157. 86IFurther financial provision.
  158. 86JReferences in this Part to “chief constable”.
  159. Part VIII: Buildings, etc.
  160. 87Local authorities’ powers in relation to buildings in need of repair.
  161. 88Installation of pipes through neighbouring property.
  162. 89Safety of platforms etc.
  163. 90Lighting of common stairs etc.
  164. 91Installation of lights in private property.
  165. 92Cleaning and painting of common stairs, etc.
  166. 93Fire precautions in common stairs etc.
  167. 94Disused petrol containers.
  168. 95Private open spaces.
  169. 96Statues and monuments.
  170. 97Street names and house numbers.
  171. 98Luminous tube signs.
  172. Powers of entry, execution of works, etc.
  173. 99Power to enter, execute works and recover expense.
  174. 100Interest on expenses.
  175. 101Offences relating to powers of entry and carrying out of works.
  176. 102Entry warrants.
  177. 103Execution of owner’s works by occupier.
  178. 104Powers of entry: occupier and owner.
  179. 105Contents of notices.
  180. 106Appeals.
  181. 107Time for enforcing certain notices.
  182. 108Recovery of expenses incurred under section 87 by charging order.
  183. 109Replacement of provisions of this Part by Health and Safety Regulations.
  184. Part IX: Miscellaneous and General
  185. Byelaws
  186. 110Section 110
  187. 111Cessation of certain byelaws and saving for certain byelaws.
  188. Management rules
  189. 112Making of management rules.
  190. 113Evidence of management rules.
  191. 114Publication of management rules.
  192. 115Inspection and copies of management rules.
  193. 116Expulsion or exclusion for breach of management rules.
  194. 117Exclusion orders.
  195. 118Offences.
  196. Regulation of charitable collections
  197. 119Regulation of charitable collections.
  198. The seashore etc.
  199. 120Savings for Crown and other rights.
  200. 121Control of the seashore, adjacent waters and inland waters.
  201. 122Power to execute works on seashore.
  202. 123Interpretation of sections 120 to 122.
  203. Refuse collection and disposal
  204. 124. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  205. 125. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  206. 126Repeal of sections 124 and 125, savings and transitional provisions.
  207. Miscellaneous
  208. 127Advertising on local authority lands, vehicles etc.
  209. 128Control of stray dogs.
  210. 129Killing of or injury to dogs worrying livestock.
  211. General
  212. 130Offences by bodies corporate.
  213. 131Application to Crown.
  214. 132Expenses.
  215. 133Interpretation.
  216. 134Postponement of repeal of Burgh Police (Scotland) Acts and local statutory provisions.
  217. 135. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  218. 136Consequential, transitional and supplementary provisions.
  219. 137Citation, commencement, repeals and extent.
  220. Schedule 1: Licensing—Further Provisions as to the General System
  221. Applications for the grant and renewal of licences
  222. 1Paragraph 1
  223. 2Paragraph 2
  224. Objections and representations
  225. 3Paragraph 3
  226. Disposal of applications for the grant and renewal of licences
  227. 4Paragraph 4
  228. 5Paragraph 5
  229. Restriction on successive applications
  230. 6Paragraph 6
  231. Temporary licences
  232. 7Paragraph 7
  233. Duration of licences
  234. 8Paragraph 8
  235. Taxi etc driving licences for persons subject to immigration control
  236. 8AParagraph 8A
  237. Notification of changes and alterations
  238. 9Paragraph 9
  239. Variation, suspension and revocation of licences
  240. 10Paragraph 10
  241. 11Paragraph 11
  242. 12Paragraph 12
  243. Supplementary
  244. 13Paragraph 13
  245. 14Paragraph 14
  246. Fees
  247. 15Paragraph 15
  248. Sending of notice by post
  249. 16Paragraph 16
  250. Electronic communications
  251. 16AParagraph 16A
  252. Notification of the decisions and giving of reasons
  253. 17Paragraph 17
  254. Appeals
  255. 18Paragraph 18
  256. Power to make provision about hearings
  257. 18AParagraph 18A
  258. How hearings may be held
  259. 18BParagraph 18B
  260. Interpretation
  261. 19Paragraph 19
  262. 20Paragraph 20
  263. 21Paragraph 21
  264. Schedule 2: Control of Sex Shops
  265. Saving for existing law
  266. 1Paragraph 1
  267. Meaning of “sex shop” and “sex article”
  268. 2Paragraph 2
  269. Miscellaneous definitions
  270. 3Paragraph 3
  271. Requirement for licences for sex shops
  272. 4Paragraph 4
  273. Waivers
  274. 5Paragraph 5
  275. Applications for the grant and renewal of licences
  276. 6Paragraph 6
  277. Notification of applications
  278. 7Paragraph 7
  279. Objections and representations
  280. 8Paragraph 8
  281. Disposal of applications for licences
  282. 9Paragraph 9
  283. Notification of decisions and reasons
  284. 10Paragraph 10
  285. Display of licences in sex shops
  286. 11Paragraph 11
  287. Duration of licences
  288. 12Paragraph 12
  289. Revocation of licences
  290. 13Paragraph 13
  291. Notification of changes of circumstances
  292. 14Paragraph 14
  293. Variation of licences
  294. 15Paragraph 15
  295. Surrender of licence
  296. 16Paragraph 16
  297. Register of Applications
  298. 17Paragraph 17
  299. Fees
  300. 18Paragraph 18
  301. Enforcement
  302. 19Paragraph 19
  303. Rights of entry and inspection
  304. 20Paragraph 20
  305. Powers of entry and search
  306. 21Paragraph 21
  307. Sending of notice by post
  308. 22Paragraph 22
  309. Electronic communications
  310. 22AParagraph 22A
  311. Notification of decisions and giving of reasons
  312. 23Paragraph 23
  313. Appeals
  314. 24Paragraph 24
  315. Power to make provision about hearings
  316. 24AParagraph 24A
  317. How hearings may be held
  318. 24BParagraph 24B
  319. Provisions relating to existing premises
  320. 25Paragraph 25
  321. Schedule 2A: Retention and disposal of property seized under section 54(2A) of this Act
  322. Application
  323. 1Paragraph 1
  324. Retention
  325. 2Paragraph 2
  326. Arrangements for custody of property
  327. 3Paragraph 3
  328. Disposal
  329. 4Paragraph 4
  330. 5Paragraph 5
  331. 6Paragraph 6
  332. Appeals
  333. 7Paragraph 7
  334. Interpretation
  335. 8Paragraph 8
  336. Schedule 3: Minor and Consequential Amendments
  337. The Roads and Bridges (Scotland) Act 1878 (c. 51)
  338. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  339. The Firearms Act 1968 (c. 27)
  340. 2Paragraph 2
  341. The Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 (c. 60)
  342. 3Paragraph 3
  343. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  344. The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 (c. 14)
  345. 5Paragraph 5
  346. Schedule 4Repeals