Tented Campsite Licenses
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.
Should you solely wish to accommodate tents on site, you will only require a tented campsite licence if the site is operating:
- for more than 42 days consecutively or
- more than 60 days in total in any 12 consecutive months
Please note, the provisions under Section 269 of the Public Health Act 1936 apply solely to tents. Any campervans/caravans on the site will require a licence.
Further information pertaining to 60 day camping can be found on our exemption page.
Applications
Applications for site licences are made to the local authority in the area in which the land is situated. Before you apply for a licence, you should check that you have the necessary planning permission. The local authority will only issue a licence for a new site after it has received the necessary planning permission and a completed application for a site licence.
If you are looking for the 60 day rule to apply, you will need to contact our planning department to obtain permitted development permission.
Once satisfied all the correct documentation has been provided, the local authority will determine your tent licence application within four weeks.
If approved, you will be provided with a tented campsite licence and the associated licence conditions. Alternatively should your application be refused, full reasons for this decision will be provided.
Fees
There is no fee for a tented site licence
Tent site licence conditions
An example of conditions attached to the licence can be found here:
Keeping us Informed
You should notify us immediately in the event of any changes which may affect the validity of the site licence, so that the licence can be changed accordingly.
If the site is to be sold or transferred to another person or named body, a new licence will need to be prepared together with the current licence conditions, which will be forwarded to the new 'Licensee'. A site inspection may also take place at this time.
Fire Precautions
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the RRO) applies to caravan and camping sites. The local fire and rescue authority, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue are the main enforcers of the RRO, however council officers are still required to check that site owners are complying with the obligations under 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.