Licence - caravan site
Business Licences and Street Trading
The Caravan 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 local authority.
| Service ID: | 743 |
|---|---|
| email: | ehadmin@staffordbc.gov.uk |
| telephone: | 01785 619402 |
| sms: | 07781 471023 |
| fax: | 01785 619319 |
| complaints: | welcome.asp?id=2505 |
To make an online request for information please click here
Do I need a licence for my caravan site?
What conditions are on a licence?
Can I transfer a licence from the previous site owner?
I am thinking of starting a caravan site. What do I need to do?
There are some exceptions:
- A caravan sited within the curtilage of a dwelling and its use is incidental to the dwelling. This means it cannot be occupied separately.
- A single caravan sited for not more than two consecutive nights for a maximum of 28 days in any 12 months.
- Up to three caravans on a site of not less than five acres for a maximum of 28 days in any 12 months.
- Sites occupied by exempted organisations such as the Caravan Club.
- Sites of up to 5 caravans certified by an exempt organisation and which are for members only.
- Sites occupied by the local authority. These are usually gypsy sites.
- Sites for temporary and special purposes such as caravan rallies, agricultural and forestry workers, building and engineering sites and travelling salesmen.
- A site for tents only can be used for a maximum of 28 days in any 12 months.
Licence Conditions
Licences have conditions which include:
- The type of caravan, e.g. residential, static holiday or touring.
- The permitted density (the number per acre/hectare) and the spacing between caravans.
- Water supply and drainage; lavatory and washing facilities.
- Fire precautions and electrical installations.
To view the current Caravan Site Licence Conditions, click here.
If you are a caravan site owner/manager - you should have a licence already but you should check that your name, the site name and address is correct and up to date. Also check that the licence corresponds with your planning permission. If not, you should send us the licence for re-issue.
If you have recently become a caravan site owner/manager - licences are transferable to a new owner but the law requires us to give consent for the transfer. You should send us the licence with a request for transfer and we will either endorse or re-issue it.
If you are a potential site owner/manger - you or your legal advisor should check that all the land used for siting caravans has planning permission and that the details correspond with the site licence. If you wish to change the use of land to a permanent caravan site use you must have planning permission before a licence can be issued.
Applying for a licence - an application must be completed, accompanied by a site plan at 1:500 scale showing the layout of roads, caravans and facilities. Application forms are available from Environmental & Health Services or by clicking this link Caravan Site Licence Application Form
FAQ
Do I need a licence for my caravan site?
Yes, unless your circumstances are included in the exemptions below:
What conditions are on a licence?
Licences have conditions which include:
- The type of caravan, e.g. residential, static holiday or touring.
- The permitted density (the number per acre/hectare) and the spacing between caravans.
- Water supply and drainage; lavatory and washing facilities.
- Fire precautions and electrical installations. TOP
Can I transfer a licence from the previous owner?
Licences are transferable to a new occupier but the law requires us to give consent for the transfer. You should send us the licence with a request for transfer and we will either endorse or re-issue it. TOP
I am thinking of starting a caravan site. What do I need to do?
You or your legal advisor should check that all the land used for siting caravans has planning permission. If you wish to change the use of the land to a permanent caravan site use you must have planning permission before a licence can be issued.
You must also submit an application, accompanied by a site plan at 1:500 scale showing the layout of roads, caravans and facilities. TOP
Where can I get a Caravan Site Licence?
Contact Environmental & Health Services using the details above for an application form. Alternatively, click on the link below:
Caravan Site Licence Application Form