Caravan Site Licensing for Holiday Use
The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 prohibits the use of land as a caravan site unless the occupier holds a site licence issued by the Council.
The term caravan can include any structure designed or adapted for human habitation which is capable of being moved from one place to another. Including those which can be towed behind cars, transported on a motor vehicle or trailer, motor homes, static holiday homes and residential park homes, which often arrive on site in two sections and are then bolted together.
From 26 July 2023, campsites can accommodate up to 50 tents, motorhomes or campervans for 60 days per calendar year under 'Class BC' permitted development rights. Please note, a licence will be required should you wish to accommodate campervans or motorhomes on your land. Further information can be found on our exemption page.
Applications
Applications for site licences are made to the local authority in whose area the land is situated. Applications must be in writing, should detail the land the application concerns and any other information required by the local authority.
In order to be eligible to be issued a licence the applicant must be entitled to use the land as a caravan site. Licences will not be issued to applicants who have had a site licence revoked within three years of the current application.
It may also agree to the transfer of an existing licence to a new licensee, or approve a variation to an existing licence
Before you apply for a licence, you should check that you have the necessary planning permission and all the required supporting documentation. A licence cannot be issued until the corresponding planning permission is in place, and an application will not be accepted until it is.
Anyone wishing to apply for a licence can apply using the form:
If you are looking to transfer a Caravan Site Licence please use the following form:
Licence Conditions
Licence conditions are different for residential sites and holiday sites. We base our conditions on national model standards. Please see the following model conditions for each type of site, which are available to view below.
Fire Precautions
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the RRO) applies to caravan and campsites. The local Fire and Rescue Authority are the main enforcers of the RRO, however, local authority officers are still required to check that site owners are complying with the obligations within it. In particular, site owners must carry out a fire risk assessment and make this available to officers. This document will also be required as part of the application process.
The Government website Fire Safety Law and Guidance Documents for Business contains a range of helpful information for businesses on fire safety and the requirements of the RRO.
A risk assessment is required under the Fire Reform Order 2005. Further guidance and examples of risk assessments can be found on the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service website