Caravan Sites
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.
Licence 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.
As such, the local authority can only issue a licence for a new caravan site after it has received the necessary planning permission and a fully completed application has been received.
It may also agree to the transfer of an existing licence to a new licensee, or approve a variation to an existing licence.
Applications
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 online.
Apply for a caravan and campsite licence
Fee
There is currently no fee for a touring or static caravan licence application. However, fees apply for Residential Park Home licence applications, see our park home fees and licensing policies page for further information
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:
- Model Standards for Residential Sites (pdf 111 KB)
- Model Standards for holiday sites (pdf 64 KB)
Site Rules
We are obliged to publish the site rules and maintain a register of them under The Mobile Homes (Site Rules), (England) Regulations 2014. Below is a list of site rules for Residential sites that have been lodged with the council.
Public registers
We have a duty to maintain and display a public register of all of the licensed caravan and tented campsites in the district. Please see the links to the registers as follows:
- Online register
- Residential Site Register
- Caravan Holiday Sites Register
- Tent Holiday Sites Register
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.
Fit and Proper Person - Relevant Protected Sites
The Mobile Homes (Requirement for Manager to be Fit and Proper Person) (England) Regulations 2020, require the owner / manager of a residential site to be a Fit and Proper Person. Further information can be found on the Fit and Proper Persons page of our website.
Keeping us informed
You should notify us immediately in the event of any changes which may affect the validity of your site licence. This includes any changes to the name or address of the licence holder, planning permission, number of units, site plan or layout etc.
Additionally, if you wish to purchase a site, we strongly recommend that you notify us before ownership is transferred and any formal applications are made.