Caravan site licences

Licence conditions

The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 (gov.uk) has given councils the power to attach conditions to licences. These conditions can do the following functions:

• Restricting the occasions on which caravans are to be stationed, or the total number of caravans to be stationed at any time
• Controlling the types of caravans on site
• Regulating the positions in which caravans are to be stationed and for regulating or prohibiting the placing of structures, vehicles and tents on the land
• Ensuring that amenities and supplies are adequate and maintained, including water, electrical, gas and oil installations
• Ensuring correct separation between caravans / mobile homes and other structures to minimise the risk of fire spreading
• Securing and maintaining adequate sanitary and other facilities, services and equipment

Model Standards

The Government have specified model standards which the local authority is directed to have regard to when deciding what (if any) conditions to attach to the site licence.
All new residential sites (except those with a planning condition restricting occupation to Gypsies and Travellers only) will have conditions based on the Model Standards 2008 for Caravan Sites in England.
The likely conditions that would be attached to a residential site licence can be found in the Site licence conditions for residential sites document.
The likely conditions that would be attached to a holiday site licence can be found in the Site licence conditions for holiday sites document.
Important Note
It is possible that conditions may be altered, omitted, or additional conditions added depending on the individual circumstances of the site.

If you are considering buying an existing caravan site you must make sure you are satisfied that the site complies with any conditions related to the planning consent for the site, which are a separate matter from the site conditions.

Exemptions

You do not need a caravan or camp site licence for the following:

• A caravan kept within the grounds of a house. To be exempt from needing a licence, the caravan cannot be occupied separately to the house
• A single caravan sited in the same place for not more than two consecutive nights, up to a maximum of 28 days in any 12 months
• Up to three caravans on a site of not less than five acres for a maximum of 28 days in any 12 months
• Sites occupied by exempted organisations such as the Caravan Club
• Sites of up to five caravans certified by an exempted organisation and which are for members only
• Sites for temporary and special  purposes such as caravan rallies, agricultural and forestry workers, building and engineering sites and travelling salesmen
• Sites occupied by the local authority

Last updated:‎ ‎22‎/‎05‎/‎2024‎ ‎15‎:‎37‎