Caravan Site Licence
| The Council's Private Sector Housing Team is responsible for the licensing of mobile home sites and for ensuring the conditions of the site licence are adhered to. |  |
We have a duty to issue caravan site licences to all caravan sites within the North Hertfordshire district providing that the applicant has valid planning permission. We like to see and encourage good standards at our caravan sites for the pleasure and enjoyment of our community as well as tourists who visit the area.
We respond to complaints about unsatisfactory caravans and caravan sites and we carry out regular programmed inspections of caravan sites to ensure that they are complying with their site licence conditions.
The use of land as a caravan site requires a Caravan Site Licence (but there are some exceptions) and the Council attach conditions to the licence. Site Licence conditions are designed to protect the health, safety and welfare of caravan occupants and covers such issues as fire safety, drainage, distances between caravans and so on.
Licence summary
To run a caravan site you need a licence from the local authority unless you are covered by one of the exemptions in the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960. 
Conditions attached to a licence are designed to protect the health, safety and welfare of caravan occupants and may cover issues such as the following:
- restricting when caravans can be on the site for human habitation or restricting the number of caravans that can be on the site at any one time
- controlling the types of caravans on the site
- controlling the positioning of the caravans or regulating the use of other structures and vehicles including tents
- to ensure steps are taken enhance the land, including planting/replanting bushes and trees
- fire safety and fire fighting controls
- to ensure that sanitary and other facilities, services and equipment are supplied and maintained
Eligibility criteria
The applicant must be entitled to use the land as a caravan site. We will confirm that there is a valid planning permission for use of the land as a caravan site.
Licences will not be issued to applicants who have had a site licence revoked within three years of the current application.
Regulation summary
This licence is granted under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960.
Summary of the regulation relating to this licence
Apply online
Make an online application for a caravan site licence.
Apply by post or email
Please contact the Private Sector Housing Team using the contact details below to obtain an application form.
What does it cost?
There is no fee for this application.
What happens next?
We aim to acknowledge receipt of application within 3 working days.
Applications will be accepted as duly made unless the Council requires further information. We will use the information that you have given us to assess your application. Once a duly made application is received, one of our officers will carry out an inspection of the site. If the site is found to be fit for purpose you will be provided with a list of the conditions we propose to attach to your licence and, subject to your agreement, the licence will be issued as soon as possible. If we decide to refuse your application, we will provide reason fro doing so and explain your rights of appeal.
There is no statutory period for determining applications, however we aim to determine applications within 28 calendar days.
You will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from us by the end of this 28 day target completion period.
What happens if something changes?
If something changes concerning your site, for example, you change the number of plots or the facilities, or the management arrangement change, you must tell us. You can do this online here,
Tell us about a change to your existing caravan or camp site
Alternatively, you can write to us or email us using the contact details below.
Public register
Public Register of Licensed Caravan & Mobile Home Sites (17.6KB) 
Applicant/Licence holder redress
An applicant or licence holder can appeal against the refusal of the local authority to grant a licence or against any conditions that the local authority imposes on a licence to the local magistrates’ court.
Alternatively, If you are unhappy about the way that we have dealt with your application, the Council has a formal mechanism for dealing with such issues. Please see our website Comments, Compliments & Complaints
Consumer Complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint, the first contact is made with the caravan site operator by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If this does not work or do you do not want to contact the site operator, please contact us using the contact details below.
Where appropriate, you can also obtain advice from Consumer Direct if you are located in the UK or from outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Other information – Trade Associations
Association of Caravan and Camping Exempted Organsations ACCEO)
British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) (
British Resorts and Destinations Association
Caravan Industry Training (CITO)
Federation of Tour Operators (FTO)
Group Travel Organisers Association (GTOA)
National Caravan Council (NCC)
Contact Details
Details of how to contact the team can be found on the Housing & Public Protection contact page.
