Campsite licensing

To apply for a licence to use your land as a tented campsite (including motorhomes and touring caravans) you will normally need to have planning permission in place first. This page explains when you will require a licence and the circumstances under which a licence is not needed.

Campsites not requiring a licence

You do not need a licence to run a campsite if any of the following apply:

• the site is a temporary recreational campsite (or popup campsite)* which,
  •  is used for camping in tents (including trailer tents) for fewer than 42 days in a row, or
  • is used for camping in tents (including trailer tents) for fewer than 60 days in any 12 month period
• you are a member of an organisation (for example, the Scouts) and have an exemption certificate
• your site is approved by an organisation with a camping exemption certificate
• members of an exempted organisation stay in their own tents on the site

*For temporary 'pop-up' campsites you should check with the relevant planning authority (either New Forest District Council Planning or New Forest National Park Planning Authority) to ensure their requirements are met:

• New Forest District Council Planning: Pop Up Campsites in the Forest.
• New Forest National Park Planning: Temporary Campsites in the National Park

Find out who your planning authority is here: NFDC Planning/New Forest NPA Areas Map

Licensed campsites

If the exemptions above do not apply, and you intend to operate for a campsite for more than 60 days in any calendar year or more than 42 days consecutively you will require a campsite licence. 

Campsite Licence Application (Word doc, 61 KB)

You will need to include with your application a scale plan of the site and a copy of the planning permission (if relevant).

There is no fee for this application.

Campsite licences are normally issued with conditions, including:

• how the site should be laid out
• how many tents / motorhomes or touring caravans are allowed
• what toilet and washing facilities should be provided

Additional information on recreational organisation exemptions

Under Section 269 of the Public Health Act 1936, members of recreational organisations which hold a camping exemption certificate can camp on land without a site licence and without the need to apply for planning permission. Camping exemption certificates are for recreational organisations that organise camping for their members on sites belonging to them, or on other sites with the landowner's permission.

You can apply for a camping exemption certificate using the link below. You can also renew an existing certificate.

Apply for a camping exemption certificate

Although camping exemption certificates do not permit touring caravans which are covered by separate legislation, you can also apply for a touring caravan exemption certificate using the link above. Further information on touring caravan exemptions are available by following the link. 

Contact us

If you have any questions about a licence application, or need to transfer or amend an existing licence, email eandr@nfdc.gov.uk or call 023 8028 5411.