The Caravan and Control of Development Act 1960 makes it illegal to use land for a caravan site without an appropriate a site licence issued by the local authority.
Leeds City Council's environmental health service provides licences for touring, static holiday or residential caravan sites within the Leeds area. We can also help anyone who wishes to make a complaint about standards on a caravan or camp site.
Applying for a caravan site licence
You can download an application form for a caravan site from this page. Once you have filled this in, please return it to:
Caravan and camp site licences
Micklefield House, New Road Side
Rawdon
Leeds
LS19 6DF
If you are the new owner of an existing caravan site, you will need to apply for the licence to be transferred from the previous owner to your name. The previous owner must confirm in writing to us that that they agree to do this.
Licence conditions
Caravan and camp site licences are usually issued with conditions which relate to:
- the type of caravan site (residential, static holiday or touring);
- the number of caravans allowed per hectare (called the permitted density);
- the spacing between caravans;
- water supply, drainage, lavatory and washing facilities;
- fire precautions and electrical installations.
If you are considering buying an existing caravan site you must make sure you are satisfied that the site complies with with any conditions related to the planning consent for the site.
Exemptions
You do not need a caravan or camp site licence for the following:
- A caravan kept within the grounds of a house. To be exempt from needing a licence, the caravan cannot be occupied separately to the house.
- A single caravan sited in the same place for not more than two consecutive nights, up to 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 five caravans certified by an exempt organisation and which are for members only.
- Sites occupied by the Leeds City Council. These are usually traveller sites.
- Sites for temporary purposes such as caravan rallies, agricultural and forestry workers, building and engineering sites and travelling salesmen.
- A site for tents will be used for a maximum of 28 days in any 12 months.