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 2024 to 31 March 2025. 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.
Contact us to make a payment, or to make changes to your licence. You may have to pay a fee to make a change to your licence.
Call 01483 505050 quoting the site name and licence holder as reference to pay.
| New licence application | Cost |
|---|---|
| Number of pitches: 1 - 5 | £429 |
| Number of pitches: 6 - 15 | £435 |
| Number of pitches: 16 - 45 | £576 |
| Number of pitches: 46 or more | £628 |
| Transfer of existing licence | Cost |
|---|---|
| Number of pitches: 1 - 5 | £152 |
| Number of pitches: 6 - 15 | £152 |
| Number of pitches: 16 - 45 | £152 |
| Number of pitches: 46 or more | £152 |
| Application to vary a site licence | Cost |
|---|---|
| Number of pitches: 1 - 5 | £264 |
| Number of pitches: 6 - 15 | £282 |
| Number of pitches: 16 - 45 | £317 |
| Number of pitches: 46 or more | £370 |
| Annual licence fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Number of pitches: 1 - 5 | £97 |
| Number of pitches: 6 - 15 | £140 |
| Number of pitches: 16 - 45 | £230 |
| Number of pitches: 46 or more | £372 |
| Deposit of site rules | Cost |
|---|---|
| Number of pitches 1 - 5 | £39 |
| Number of pitches: 6 - 15 | £39 |
| Number of pitches: 16 - 45 | £39 |
| Number of pitches: 46 or more | £39 |
| Deposit of site rules | Cost |
|---|---|
| Licence application fee | £229 |
| Annual licence fee where up to one condition | £246 |
| Annual licence fee where up to two condition | £369 |
| Annual licence fee where three or more conditions | £439 |
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 (opens new window). 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.
Do I need to submit a fit and proper application?
Most site owners must be tested to check they're fit and proper. The fit and proper person must be the person with day-to-day responsibility for managing the site.
You must submit a fit and proper application before you apply for a site licence or transfer of licence. Fit and proper status is a separate application with fees.
Before you apply, you'll need to check you are eligible to join the fit and proper register.
It is a criminal offence for site manager or owners not to apply.
Apply/transfer a caravan site licence
Before you can apply for, or transfer a licence, you must:
- have valid planning permission for the whole site the application relates to
- apply for fit and proper status (where applicable)
To apply, you'll need to:
- get the existing site licence holder to make the transfer application
- complete the form, with all declarations signed
- pay the fee
- upload an accurate site plan at 1:500 scale showing the layout of roads, caravans and facilities
- upload a registry title to prove of ownership
These forms will guide you through applying for a new caravan site licence or transferring an existing licence:
New application (opens new window)
Transfer an existing caravan licence (opens new window)
The existing site licence holder should make the transfer application.