Read Time: 10 mins

 

 

Many first-time glamping operators focus on the exciting parts: choosing pods, designing the site, or planning how to market it. But ask anyone who’s launched a successful glampsite, and they’ll tell you the real make-or-break factor is permissions. Without the right licences and certificates, even the most beautiful site risks being shut down before it welcomes its first guest.

For new operators, this can come as a surprise. Setting up a glampsite isn’t just about buying pods and welcoming guests. Whether you’re starting small with a couple of units in your back field or developing a 20-pod luxury retreat, there are legal requirements designed to protect guests, the environment, and local communities.

In this guide, we’ll break down the five most important permissions and certificates every UK glamping operator needs to know. Drawing on insights from industry experts like Matt Kerry (Wanderlust Camping Club) and Claire Wilkinson (MWT Planning), plus official UK government guidance, we’ll show you how to navigate the essentials with confidence.

By the end, you’ll understand the difference between exemption certificates and planning permission, when a site licence is required, and why fire, safety, and environmental compliance are non-negotiable.

 

1. Planning Permission vs. Exemption Certificates

When setting up a glamping site, operators often face an early choice:

• Planning Permission: slower, more expensive, but allows permanent, luxury structures.

• Exemption Certificate: faster, cheaper, but limited to small, rustic, temporary setups.

Some areas are more planning-friendly than others. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out Top UK Locations for Easy Glamping Site Planning Permission

 

Exemption Certificates (Matt Kerry – Wanderlust Camping Club)

Exemption certificates allow glamping or camping sites to operate without full planning permission if they are certified by an “exempted organisation” such as the Wanderlust Camping Club or the Greener Camping Club.

These exemptions come from the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, where the rules are set out in numbered “paragraphs” within the First Schedule of the Act. (Pinfold Shepherd Huts)

 

Types of Exemption

Paragraph 5 Exemption (Caravans/Pods/Shepherd’s Huts)

• Up to 5 movable units (pods, huts, or caravans, as long as they meet size/height limits).

• Units must be temporary and movable in one piece (e.g. pods on skids or blocks, not fixed foundations).

• GlampLaunch’s pods are designed with this flexibility in mind, meaning they can qualify under exemption rules where permanence is not permitted. Here are some of the pods to consider: The "Viking's Longboat" Pod, The "Grotto" Pod, The "Hobbit" Pod

• No seasonal restriction as long as they are used consistently.

 

Camping Exemption (Tents)

• Unlimited tents (including yurts, bell tents, safari tents).

• Same rules as above: all must remain temporary and low-impact.

 

Paragraph 4 Exemption (Rallies)

• Applies to temporary club gatherings (e.g. caravan rallies).

• Rarely relevant for glamping businesses.

 

Rules & Requirements

• Land use must remain agricultural with all structures being temporary.

• Pods/huts must sit on blocks or skids (no concrete bases).

• Decking must be removable.

• Toilets/showers must be mobile units or forklift-able.

• Services should be above-ground (e.g. electric hook-ups, temporary tracks).

• Hot tubs are permitted, but must be movable.

Key principle: Exemption is designed for rustic, small-scale, low-impact sites. If your setup looks too permanent or luxurious, you risk breaching the terms.

 

 

Planning Permission (Claire Wilkinson – MWT Planning)

For sites that are more permanent, larger in scale, or high-end in design, exemption certificates usually aren’t enough. In these cases, you’ll need to go through the full planning permission process with your local authority.

 

When Do You Need Full Planning Permission?

• Permanent or fixed pods/cabins (not movable).

• Operational development such as car parks, hard landscaping, underground services, or formal access roads.

• Larger-scale or luxury glamping sites that go beyond “rustic camping.”

 

The Planning Process

• Pre-application advice: Speak to your local authority before submitting a formal application. For a small fee, you’ll get early feedback that can save time and money later.

• Many operators also find value in an independent Glamping Site Feasibility Study & Planning Assessment that GlampLaunch offers, which provides data on ROI, planning risks, and site suitability before you spend thousands on surveys.

• Build your team: Most projects require input from specialists such as ecologists, drainage engineers, and landscape designers. These surveys can cost £10k–£30k+, depending on your location.

• GlampLaunch’s 5-Step Launch Framework helps streamline this process by connecting you with trusted consultants and ensuring your site plans meet planning requirements from the start.

• Submit your application: Once validated (usually within a week), the council will take 6–12 months to make a decision in practice.

• Consultation period: Neighbours and local groups may raise objections. A planning consultant can help manage communication and provide responses.

• Decision and appeals: Most applications are decided by a planning officer. If refused, you have the right to appeal.

• Post-decision conditions: Even if granted, you may have extra requirements (e.g. lighting restrictions, habitat protection plans) that must be discharged before starting work.

 

Tips for Success (Claire Wilkinson’s advice)

• Start small: Launch with 2 pods and expand once you’ve proven demand.

• Be flexible: Councils may ask for changes in layout or design; being open helps your chances.

• Stay patient: Planning takes time, but with the right preparation and team, approval is achievable.

For a deeper dive into the application process, see our blog Mastering Planning Permission: How to Get Your UK Glamping Site Approved.

 

Exemption vs Planning: At a Glance

Aspect	Exemption Certificate	Planning Permission
Scale	Max 5 pods/huts or unlimited tents	Any scale, incl. luxury
Cost	Low (annual club fees)	High (£10k–£30k+ surveys)
Timescale	Fast (weeks to months)	Long (6–12+ months)
Flexibility	Must remain temporary, rustic	Allows permanent structures
Risk	Breach if too permanent	Enforceable approval
Best for	Testing concept, rustic start	Scaling/luxury operations

 

Takeaway: Many operators start under an exemption to test the market, then move to planning permission once proven.

 

 

2. Site Licence (Camping/Caravan Site Licence)

Even if you’ve secured planning permission, you may also need a site licence. Under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, it’s illegal to use land as a caravan site without one (GOV.UK).

 

You’ll usually need a site licence if you are:

• Operating for more than 42 consecutive days or over 60 days in total per year.

• Hosting pods, huts, shepherd’s huts, or caravans for paying guests.

• Licences typically set conditions for:

• Spacing and layout of units.

• Sanitation and waste disposal systems.

• Firefighting and safety equipment available on-site.

 

Exemptions

You may not need a site licence if your site is certified under an exempt club (like Wanderlust Camping Club or the Greener Camping Club) or if you run a very small, seasonal, temporary or portable accommodation only site.

 

Consequences

Operating without a licence is a criminal offence and can lead to fines (up to £2,500 in Northern Ireland), as well as potential enforcement action in the rest of the UK.

 

3. Fire Safety & Risk Assessments

Fire safety isn’t optional. It’s a legal duty for every glamping operator in the UK.

 

The rules fall under:

• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – England & Wales

• Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 – Scotland

• Fire Safety Regulations (NI) – Northern Ireland

All sites must complete a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)  (GOV.UK)

 

Minimum requirements include

• Smoke alarms fitted in every pod or unit.

• Fire extinguishers or blankets available and accessible on-site.

• Carbon monoxide detectors in any pod with stoves or gas appliances.

• England update (Oct 2023): all short-term lets must now have a written FRA, even if you employ fewer than five staff.

 

Enforcement

Local fire services can inspect at any time. If standards aren’t met, they can issue improvement notices, restrict use of units, or even prosecute.

 

Best practice for glamping sites:

• Review your FRA annually (or after any major site changes).

• Keep a fire logbook recording safety checks and maintenance.

• Provide staff training so everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

 

How GlampLaunch helps

All GlampLaunch pods are designed with compliance in mind. They include safe installation points for alarms, stoves, and detectors, making it easier for owners to meet fire safety regulations from day one.

 

 

4. Gas & Electrical Safety

Gas Safety

• If your pods use LPG or gas appliances (like stoves, heaters, or boilers), you are legally required to arrange an annual gas safety check (HSE).

• The inspection must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

• You’ll receive a Landlord’s Gas Safety Record as proof of compliance.

• Failure to comply can lead to unlimited fines or even prosecution.

 

Electrical Safety

Electric installations in glamping pods also need regular attention to stay safe and compliant.

• EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report):

• England & Wales: Not a legal requirement for holiday lets, but strongly recommended every 5 years (Electrical Safety First)

• Scotland: Mandatory under the short-term let licensing scheme  (GOV.UK).

• Northern Ireland: Falls under general health & safety duties.

• PAT testing: Annual testing of portable appliances (like kettles, microwaves, and heaters) is best practice to show due diligence.

• Detectors: Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are compulsory in any unit with fuel-burning appliances.

All of GlampLaunch pods are wired to BS7671 electrical standards and designed with safe installation points for detectors and LPG connections. This means your safety compliance is easier to achieve and maintain from day one.

 

5. Environmental Compliance

Environmental compliance is about protecting both your guests and the land you operate on. Water, waste, and location-specific rules are all closely regulated, and ignoring them can lead to enforcement action.

 

Water Supply

• Mains water: No special permissions required.

• Private supply (well, borehole, spring): Must be registered with your local council. Councils carry out a 5-yearly risk assessment and water quality monitoring.

If water is found unsafe, you must treat it (e.g. UV filtration, chlorination) or risk prohibition.

 

Wastewater & Sewage

• Septic tanks/treatment plants: Must comply with the General Binding Rules or else require an environmental permit (GOV.UK).

• It’s illegal to discharge untreated sewage into the ground or water.

• Compost/chemical toilets: Waste must be collected and disposed of by licensed contractors.

 

Solid Waste

• Glampsites are classed as businesses, so you must have a commercial waste contract. Domestic bins are not allowed.

• Burning or burying waste on-site is unlawful.

 

Protected Areas

If your site is in a National Park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), or Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), you may need additional consents (e.g. ecological surveys or habitat management plans).

 

GlampLaunch pods are designed with optional eco-systems like composting toilets, greywater recycling, and rainwater harvesting, making environmental compliance simpler for off-grid and sensitive locations.

 

Portable Outdoor Shower Cubicle & Portable Outdoor Dry Composting Toilet 

 

Conclusion

Running a glamping site in the UK involves much more than simply buying pods and welcoming guests. Success relies on navigating five essential pillars of compliance: securing planning permission or operating under an exemption certificate, obtaining a site licence where required, meeting strict fire safety standards, keeping gas and electrical systems certified, and ensuring your water, sewage, and waste management follow environmental regulations.

These requirements are not hurdles but the foundations of a safe, credible, and future-proof business. As Matt Kerry notes, “Exemption is best for small, rustic starts; planning is essential for scaling.” And as Claire Wilkinson reminds us, patience is essential: “Planning is slow, but achievable with the right team and preparation.”

At GlampLaunch, we simplify this journey. From feasibility studies and planning assessments to pod design, installation, and aftercare, we provide a full land-to-launch service. Our pods are crafted in Europe using premium materials, designed to last 20+ years, and offered at factory-direct prices, helping you maximise your return while building a business that stands the test of time.

Ready to launch your glamping site with confidence? Book your Glamping Site Feasibility Study & Planning Assessment today and let’s turn your vision into a thriving, compliant glamping business.

Summary

• Compliance is critical for UK glamping operators, covering planning, licensing, safety, and environmental rules.

• Operators can either use an exemption certificate (up to 5 movable pods, rustic setups) or apply for full planning permission (for permanent or luxury sites).

• A site licence is required if operating more than 42 consecutive days or 60 days/year, unless exempt under a club scheme.

• Fire safety is mandatory: smoke alarms, extinguishers, CO detectors, and written risk assessments are required, with inspections enforceable by local fire services.

• Gas systems must be checked annually by Gas Safe engineers; electrical systems should have EICRs, PAT testing, and detectors installed.

• Environmental compliance covers water supply, sewage treatment, waste disposal, and special rules for protected areas.

• GlampLaunch pods are designed to simplify compliance, with built-in safety features, eco-options, and planning support.

• These permissions form the foundation of a safe, legal, and sustainable glamping business.

 

FAQs

1. Do I need planning permission for a glamping site, or can I use an exemption certificate?

It depends on your setup. Exemption certificates allow up to 5 movable pods, huts, or caravans (on skids or blocks) without full planning permission, ideal for small, rustic sites.

Planning permission is required for permanent, larger-scale, or luxury glamping sites with fixed foundations, car parks, or underground services.

 

2. When is a site licence required for glamping in the UK?

If you operate for more than 42 consecutive days or 60 days per year, you usually need a site licence under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960.

This sets conditions for layout, sanitation, and fire safety. However, sites certified by exempt clubs may not require one.

 

3. What fire and safety rules apply to glamping pods?

All operators must carry out a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) and meet minimum standards such as smoke alarms in every pod, accessible extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors where stoves or gas are used.

Fire services can inspect at any time and issue enforcement if compliance is lacking.

 

4. What environmental rules must glamping sites follow?

Glamping operators must comply with strict water, sewage, and waste regulations. Private water supplies must be registered with the council, septic tanks must follow the General Binding Rules, and all waste must be disposed of via commercial contracts.

Additional consents may apply in protected areas like National Parks or AONBs.