The rules apply to campsites, touring and static caravan sites and holiday parks in Great Britain. The licensing spine is the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960: most sites stationing caravans need planning permission and a site licence from the local authority, with conditions covering density, spacing, fire points and utilities. Residential park home sites add the Mobile Homes Act 2013 in England (Wales has its own Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013). Tent-only sites generally need planning permission rather than a caravan site licence.
Site licensing and park homes
Pitch utilities and water
Outdoor electrical installations — hook-ups, distribution pillars and site wiring — must be designed and periodically inspected to the wiring regulations' caravan and camping park provisions; weather exposure makes the inspection cycle shorter than for indoor installations. If the site draws drinking water from a borehole, spring or well rather than the mains, the private water supply rules apply: notify the local authority of the supply so it can risk-assess and monitor it.
Pools, waterslides and adventure activities
Pools and flumes are managed under health and safety law using the HSE's swimming pool guidance — supervision arrangements, water treatment and slide rules all flow from your risk assessment. If you provide caving, climbing, trekking or watersports to under-18s in return for payment, you need an adventure activities licence before you operate.
Events on site
If you host events on the park, such as live music, food festivals or rallies, you carry the health and safety duty for the event site as the operator, alongside any caterer or trader you bring in. Notify larger events to the local authority's safety advisory group.
Registration schemes by nation
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Get planning and the site licence
Planning permission first, then the caravan site licence from the local authority; read the licence conditions — density, spacing, roads and fire points are enforceable.
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Sort the utilities
Electrical installation certificate and periodic inspections for hook-ups; notify the local authority of any private water supply and act on its risk assessment.
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Get the activity licences
Adventure activities licence before offering licensable activities to under-18s; run pools to the HSE guidance with written supervision arrangements.
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Check the registration scheme where your site is
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each have their own registration, licensing or certification scheme for visitor accommodation. Check which applies to your site and meet its deadline.
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Cover the business basics
Employers' liability insurance if you employ anyone, public liability cover, food business registration for any shop or café, and a premises licence if you sell alcohol.
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations