Apply for a caravan site licence
Do I need a caravan site licence?
Sites used for holiday caravans and camping need a licence from us to operate. The licence includes conditions which require fire safety, toilet and washing facilities for campers.
You do not need a licence to run a caravan site if:
✗ forestry workers, builders or seasonal workers (like fruit pickers) stay in caravans on the site
✗ the site is five or more acres and there are three or less caravans there for 28 days or less a year
✗ you're a member of an organisation like a caravan club and have a caravan exemption certificate
✗ your site is approved by an organisation with a caravan exemption certificate
✗ members of an exempt organisation stay in their caravans on the site
Conditions
If you use land for a caravan site you may need planning permission.
Every site licence has conditions. Some of these conditions may include:
- how the site should be laid out
- what type of caravans are allowed
- what toilet and washing facilities should be provided
Once issued, we can change the licence conditions at any time. We will give licence holders opportunity to make representation about any proposed changes.
A compliance notice may be served upon a site owner if the conditions are not met. If the terms of the notice are not met you may be prosecuted.
In situations where the owner has failed to meet site conditions, we may decide to take action ourselves. We would then charge the owner for the costs of carrying out the work. There is also a right to appeal if the site owner thinks that it was not necessary for the action to be taken.
Standard site licence conditions for residential parks (PDF) [70KB]
Standard site licence conditions for recreational parks (PDF) [37KB]
Fees
See the tables below for the licence fees from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. Please also read our fee policy. (PDF) [84KB] for more information.
We aim to process the licence within two months of receiving a complete application. This is reduced to 6 weeks if the proposed licence holder is receiving planning consent, and the licence application has been submitted before this. In some circumstances this may be extended. We will write to you if this will happen.
Please contact us if you wish to make changes to your licence, as this may also require a fee.
| New licence application | Cost |
|---|---|
| Number of pitches: 1 - 5 | £375 |
| Number of pitches: 6 - 15 | £391 |
| Number of pitches: 16 - 45 | £516 |
| Number of pitches: 46 or more | £563 |
| Transfer of existing licence | Cost |
|---|---|
| Number of pitches: 1 - 5 | £136 |
| Number of pitches: 6 - 15 | £136 |
| Number of pitches: 16 - 45 | £136 |
| Number of pitches: 46 or more | £136 |
| Application to vary a site licence | Cost |
|---|---|
| Number of pitches: 1 - 5 | £236 |
| Number of pitches: 6 - 15 | £252 |
| Number of pitches: 16 - 45 | £283 |
| Number of pitches: 46 or more | £379 |
| Annual licence fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Number of pitches: 1 - 5 | £86 |
| Number of pitches: 6 - 15 | £124 |
| Number of pitches: 16 - 45 | £206 |
| Number of pitches: 46 or more | £333 |
| Deposit of site rules | Cost |
|---|---|
| Number of pitches 1 - 5 | £35 |
| Number of pitches: 6 - 15 | £35 |
| Number of pitches: 16 - 45 | £35 |
| Number of pitches: 46 or more | £35 |
Will tacit consent apply?
Yes. We aim to process applications as soon as possible. Caravan sites can continue to operate while we process the applications.
Failed applications
We can refuse the licence if:
- there is no planning consent
- the courts have prevented a licence being issued
- the licence applicant has had a site licence revoked within the previous three years
Or other reasons prescribed in the Mobile Homes Act 2013. If we refuse to issue or transfer a licence we will give written reasons for this.
If your licence is refused or you wish to appeal against a licence condition, you may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). The appeal must be made within 28 days of being issued with the licence. For licence changes the licence holder must appeal within 28 days of being notified in writing of change being refused. We recommend that you contact us in the first.
Apply/transfer a caravan site licence
These forms will guide you through applying for a new caravan site licence or transferring an existing licence:
Transfer an existing caravan licence
The application for a transfer must be supported by the existing licence holder, this is a legal requirement.