Camping Licence

Everyone loves camping, but to hitch up a few tents and use your land as a camping site, you will need a camping licence.

LICENCE Name

Camping Licence

AUTHORITY

Local Council

TIME TO GET LICENCED 4 weeks
ELIGIBILITY 18+ years
STEPS TO GET LICENSED
1

Documentation required

Planning permission
Site layout plan
2

Application for Camping Licence

Applications to be made via local council
Get Licenced

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What is a camping licence?

A campsite or camping pitch is a place used for overnight stay in an outdoor area. To run a camping site on your land, you will need a camping licence.

The purpose of a camping licence is to protect the health and safety of visitors to the site, including the residents that live around the site, requiring the site to comply with basic standards.

NOTE – You must have planning permission from your local council for the campsite before you apply for a camping licence.

As part of your camping licence, your local council may put conditions on the licence including, how the site should be laid out, how many tents or moveable structures are allowed and what toilet and washing facilities should be provided.

Your site may also be inspected by local authorities.

How to apply for a camping licence

Camp Licence applications must be made via your local council. You can find the contact details for your local council at the Official UK Government Website.

FAQs

No. Certain organisations such as the Boy Scouts Association and Girl Guides Association have exemption certificates which has same effect as if a camping licence had been issued.
If a site is to be used as a camping site for more then 28 days then planning permission will be required from your local council.
If you allow your land to be used as a camping site by the public for more than 42 days consecutively, or 60 days in a year then you require a camping licence. If you do not have a camping licence but still use your land as a camping site then you may be fined.
A camping licence normally does not expire and will not need to be renewed unless a change of owner or change in planning consent.
The fee to apply for a camping licence ranges from zero to £600 or more, depending on your local authority.