Apply for an exemption certificate to camp without a licence

To operate a camping or caravanning site in the UK, the site operator will usually need to have:

• planning permission
• a camping or caravan site licence

If you are an organisation or a club that promotes recreation or leisure, you may be eligible to apply for an exemption certificate instead. This will allow you to use land for camping or caravanning without needing a site licence or planning permission.

This does not remove the need to get:

• the landowner’s permission
• approval from the local authority, National Park authority or National Landscape body (where relevant)

An exemption certificate does not cover any additional infrastructure or facilities (such as a car park or a toilet block) needed to operate a camping or caravan site. If extra infrastructure is required, the applicant or site owner must check whether further permissions or approvals are needed (for example, planning permission). 

Natural England issues camping and caravanning certificates for England.

Types of exemption certificates

There are 2 types of exemption certificates you can apply for:

• camping exemption certificates – for tents only (England and Wales only)
• caravan club exemption certificates – only for caravans, campervans and motorhomes (England, Scotland and Wales)

You’ll need both certificates if you want to allow tents and caravans to use the site at the same time.

Camping exemption certificates

Camping exemption certificates are for recreational organisations that organise camping for their members on:

• sites belonging to them
• other sites with the landowner’s permission

This certificate permits the use of:

• tents
• trailer tents
• car‑roof tents

It does not permit the use of caravans, campervans or motorhomes.

You should consult the local planning authority before using a site for camping. You must not camp on land where the local planning authority has raised a valid objection.

Natural England must be satisfied that an organisation holding a camping exemption certificate:

• manages its campsites properly and maintains good sanitary conditions
• ensures tents used by its members do not cause nuisance

Caravan club exemption certificate

There are 3 types of exemption certificates for caravan clubs:

• supervised and occupied sites exemption – paragraph 4
• approved sites exemption – paragraph 5
• club meetings or rallies exemption – paragraph 6

You’ll need to state which exemption you want in your application form.

Under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, ‘caravan’ includes:

• motorhomes
• campervans

Supervised and occupied sites exemption

This is known as a paragraph 4 exemption.

This exemption allows you (for up to 28 days) to:

• stay in your own caravan on site
• let non-members bring and stay in their own caravan (if agreed with the landowner)

To be eligible for this type of exemption, you need to:

• have someone to supervise the site
• be able to sign a legal contract with the landowner or manager
• consult local councils and local planning authorities before using a site – and not use a site if the council objects

Approved sites exemption

This is known as a paragraph 5 exemption.

With this exemption, your organisation can select sites for its members to stay on, by issuing exemption certificates to the landowner or occupier. These certificates are valid for up to one year.

You’ll need to:

• set a maximum limit of 5 caravans at a time for each site
• have a system for consulting neighbours and the local licensing authority (the local council or planning authority) before issuing a certificate
• have a system for inspecting the sites and dealing with complaints from the public
• send copies of the certificates you issue to Natural England within 30 calendar days, or the Scottish or Welsh Governments (depending on where your club is based)

Contact details

Natural England

Email:enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk

Scottish Government

Email:contactus@gov.scot

Welsh Government

Email:customerhelp@gov.wales

Club meetings or rallies exemption

This is known as a paragraph 6 exemption.

With this exemption, your club can use a site for:

• club meetings
• rallies
• events

These need to:

• last no longer than 5 days
• be supervised by a member of the club
• be open to members only

Camping and caravans at the same event

Caravans and tents attending the same event must be covered by 2 separate exemption certificates – one for camping and one for caravans.

Eligibility for an exemption

Your organisation or club is eligible for an exemption if:

• it’s properly formed and has a constitution
• it’s aims include promoting leisure activities
• the certificate will only be used by you and your members
• you can make sure your members will abide by the rules of the certificate

You’ll also need to:

• have a formal code of conduct for your members
• show evidence of experience in running campsites
• supervise and manage all sites that members use
• nominate a member to keep the exemption certificate and be able to produce it when necessary

For the camping exemption, you’ll also need to show that:

• the campsite will be well managed and kept clean
• there will be no disturbance to neighbours

Your local council can remove your exemption, for example, if they receive complaints.

Application rules for England

You can only apply for a new exemption certificate in England between 1 January and 28 February.

Applications received before or after these dates will not be accepted. 

Fees and how long certificates last in England

In England, exemption certificates are currently issued without a fee and are valid for 5 years. This is subject to future policy changes. 

Natural England does not issue permanent exemption certificates.

You cannot transfer an exemption certificate to any other organisation or club.

Application rules for Scotland and Wales

In Scotland there’s no camping exemption, but you can apply for a caravan exemption. For more information email contactus@gov.scot.

For further information about camping exemptions in Wales, read the guide to camping exemption certificates (PDF).

You can apply for new exemption certificates in Scotland and Wales at any time throughout the year.

Sites based outside mainland England or Wales

Exemption certificates do not apply in the:

• Channel Islands
• Isle of Man
• Isles of Scilly

Northern Ireland has a separate system for exemptions. For more information, email planning.service.hq@doeni.gov.uk.  

Apply for an exemption certificate or renew an existing exemption certificate

1. Complete the application form stating which type of exemption certificate you want. You can also use the form to renew an existing exemption.

2. Send the following documents with your application (required for new applications and renewals):

• a copy of your constitution – including its purpose and the aims that promote leisure and recreation
• a copy of your code of conduct on headed paper – include a statement that all members follow it
• details of your branches, and whether they share the same constitution and rules

3. If you’re applying for the first time, you’ll also need to include:

• details of when you were formed (such as minutes of your first meeting)

• your camping and caravanning history
• relevant experience of organising caravan or camping events
• names and contact details for at least 2 sites you have used previously

It can take up to 6 weeks to get your exemption certificate if this is your first application.

Where to send your form

If you need an exemption certificate for more than one country (for example, England and Wales) you need to send your application and documents to each office. 

Certificates for England

Email your application to: enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk.

If you wish to apply by post this may take longer to process. Applications can be posted to:

Telephone: 0300 060 3900

Certificates for Wales

Telephone: 02920 823883

Email: customerhelp@gov.wales

Certificates for Scotland (caravan exemptions only)

Telephone: 0300 244 4000

Email: contactus@gov.scot

How Natural England treats your personal information

For more information on how Natural England treats your personal data, read our camping or caravanning exemption certificate privacy notice. 

List of current exemption certificate holders

See the list of camping and caravan organisations holding an exemption certificate (ODS, 18.7 KB)

Find out more about exemption certificates

Find out what you’re responsible for when you hold an exemption certificate.