diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/site/SiteServiceImpl.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/site/SiteServiceImpl.java
index aeaa309df5..990b00cef0 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/site/SiteServiceImpl.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/site/SiteServiceImpl.java
@@ -299,6 +299,21 @@ public class SiteServiceImpl implements SiteService, SiteModel
         PropertyCheck.mandatory(this, "authorityService", authorityService);
         PropertyCheck.mandatory(this, "sitesXPath", sitesXPath);
     }
+
+    /*
+     * (non-Javadoc)
+     * @see org.alfresco.service.cmr.site.SiteService#hasCreateSitePermissions()
+     */
+    public boolean hasCreateSitePermissions()
+    {
+        final NodeRef siteRoot = getSiteRoot();
+        if (siteRoot == null)
+        {
+            throw new SiteServiceException("No root sites folder exists");
+        }
+        boolean result = permissionService.hasPermission(siteRoot, PermissionService.CONTRIBUTOR).equals(AccessStatus.ALLOWED);
+		return result;
+    }
     
     /**
      * @see org.alfresco.service.cmr.site.SiteService#createSite(java.lang.String, java.lang.String, java.lang.String, java.lang.String, boolean)
diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/site/script/ScriptSiteService.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/site/script/ScriptSiteService.java
index dfec8ab34b..9d109a475d 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/site/script/ScriptSiteService.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/site/script/ScriptSiteService.java
@@ -104,6 +104,17 @@ public class ScriptSiteService extends BaseScopableProcessorExtension
         return new Site(siteInfo, this.serviceRegistry, this.siteService, getScope());
     }
     
+    /**
+     * This method checks if the currently authenticated user has permission to create sites.
+     * 
+     * @return <code>true</code> if the current user is a Contributor to "Sites" node, else <code>false</code>.
+     * @since 3.4
+     */
+    public boolean hasCreateSitePermissions()
+    {
+    	return siteService.hasCreateSitePermissions();
+    }
+    
     /**
      * List the sites available in the repository.  The returned list can optionally be filtered by name and site
      * preset.
diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/service/cmr/site/SiteService.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/service/cmr/site/SiteService.java
index 0317764c76..40dd0b86cd 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/service/cmr/site/SiteService.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/service/cmr/site/SiteService.java
@@ -65,6 +65,15 @@ public interface SiteService
     @Auditable(parameters = {"sitePreset", "shortName"})
     SiteInfo createSite(String sitePreset, String shortName, String title, String description, SiteVisibility visibility);
     
+    /**
+     * This method checks if the currently authenticated user has permission to create sites.
+     * 
+     * @return <code>true</code> if current user can create sites, else <code>false</code>.
+     * @since 3.4
+     */
+    @NotAuditable
+    boolean hasCreateSitePermissions();
+    
     /**
      * List the available sites.  This list can optionally be filtered by site name and/or site preset.
      *