Guidance

Camping and caravanning exemption certificates: model code of conduct

Published 14 May 2026

The responsible person

1. The organisation must appoint one named member (the responsible person or rally marshal) who:

• is responsible for, or the conduct of, any exempted touring caravan or camping event

• makes sure that those attending comply with this code

2. The responsible person or rally marshal must make sure that all members are aware of the:

• Countryside Code

• Caravan Code

• Marine Conservation Society

The venue

3. The organisation will take reasonable steps to confirm that the site is not:

• subject to a relevant order under paragraph 13 of the First Schedule to the 1960 Act (for caravans)

• subject to an Article 4 direction under Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015

• a site where planning permission has been refused
• a site where planning enforcement action has been taken

4. The organisation will consult the local authority before meeting on land adjacent to sites for which planning permission has been granted (meaning next to permanent or commercial sites).

5. The organisation will agree to leave, and not use, any site which the local authority maintains a valid objection to.

6. The organisation will not meet on sites adjacent to certificated locations or sites unless:

• the proposed site is clearly differentiated
• the risk of interference with local people and other users is minimal

7. The organisation will take reasonable steps to ensure that the siting of units (a caravan, motor home, tent or trailer tent) does not unduly interfere with the activities of local people, their privacy or their enjoyment of their property.

They will also ensure that the siting of units does not interfere with the enjoyment by others of the landscape, natural beauty or nature conservation value of the area, particularly in areas designated for their landscape or wildlife qualities.

8. The organisation will undertake not to over-use any venue and will consider carefully before holding successive meetings on the same land.

Respect local residents

9. Local people should be able to carry on their normal activities when meetings are in progress. The organisation will take reasonable steps to minimise disturbance and will investigate and deal with the causes of any complaints made.

10. Care should be taken not to damage the site or the surrounding locality. You should respect all:

• trees
• fences
• buildings
• equipment
• stock

11. Domestic animals belonging to members of the organisation must be:

• kept on a lead and under close control
• exercised away from units and communal areas of the site
• cleaned up after, with any mess cleared away

Animals must not be allowed to run loose on the site or cause disturbance to local people or animals.

12. The responsible person or rally marshal will identify open space suitable for the playing of games which might otherwise intrude upon or constitute a danger or annoyance to others on or around the site.

13. Noise should be kept to a minimum for the comfort of others on the site as well as people who live or work nearby.

Road safety and access

14. The responsible person or rally marshal will take steps to ensure that travel from major roads to a proposed site is not likely to cause undue disruption or difficulties for other road users.

Access to the site must be suitable for the number and likely size of units attending the meeting.

The arrival and departure of units should be arranged to minimise disruption to other road users.

15. Drivers must keep vehicle speed to 5 mph on the site.

Spacing and density

16. For health and safety purposes, emergency vehicles must be able to gain access to any unit on the site. At least 6 metres is required between units in all circumstances. For this purpose, a unit means a:

• caravan
• motor home
• tent
• trailer tent

17. In addition, there must be a minimum of 3 metres between any awnings, gazebos or pup tent and the car or towing vehicle.

Emergency vehicles should be able to secure access at all times to within 90 metres of any unit on the site.

18. Where a site is being used by both caravans and tents, they must be sited entirely separate from each other for health and safety reasons.

If the layout of the field does not allow for separate lines of tents, it is permissible to continue a line of caravans or motor homes with a line of tents, but they must be sited together and not interspersed.

Trailer tents are classified as tents and must be sited accordingly.

Children’s ‘pup tents’ may be erected alongside the parents’ unit and should be considered as part of the unit for spacing purposes.

It is recommended that there is at least 6 metres between any rows of caravans and tents.

Fire precautions

19. Open fires and barbecues will not be held except with the permission of the responsible person or rally marshal. Where permission is given, they must be sited on open ground, away from units, vehicles, awnings and any other structures.

Chemical toilets and wastewater disposal

20. Organisations will act responsibly when disposing of the contents of chemical toilets and wastewater, taking full account of the need to safeguard water supplies and prevent pollution of rivers and streams.

21. On-site disposal must be in line with arrangements agreed with the site owner or occupier. Waste must not foul the ground except at designated disposal points. If there is any doubt, the organisation or the responsible person or rally marshal should contact the relevant local authority for advice.

Refuse disposal

22. Organisations should ensure that refuse is either taken home or disposed of in line with on-site arrangements. The responsible person or rally marshal should be satisfied that appropriate arrangements are in place.

Overuse of camping sites

23. The organisation will try not to camp on any site for more than 42 consecutive days or 60 days in any 12 consecutive months. It will also try not to use a site already used by other exempted organisations if this would take use beyond these limits. This helps avoid overuse of sites, particularly in popular areas.

Version: February 2026