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Park Life, Rules & Regulations

Practical guidance on park rules, opening seasons, holiday-use restrictions and everyday life on a holiday park.

Understanding Your Park Rules

Park rules can affect many aspects of how you use your static caravan, lodge and pitch.

Keep a copy of the current rules and read them alongside your licence agreement so you understand what applies to your particular park.

What Park Rules May Cover

Rules vary between parks, but they may cover:

  • Pets and animals
  • Visitors and guests
  • Parking and vehicles
  • Letting or subletting
  • Noise and behaviour
  • Decking, storage and external appearance
  • Use of park facilities
  • Waste and recycling
  • Seasonal or holiday-use restrictions

Park Opening Seasons

Many holiday parks do not operate for the full twelve months of the year. Your agreement should make clear when the park is open and when you can use your caravan.

Check:

  • The exact opening and closing dates
  • Whether the season can be changed
  • Whether access is allowed during the closed period
  • Whether utilities remain connected
  • What happens if the park changes its opening arrangements

Holiday Use and Residential Use

A static caravan on a holiday park may be intended for holiday use rather than permanent residential occupation.

Before relying on a caravan as your main home, check:

  • Your licence agreement
  • The park rules
  • The planning position
  • Any site licence conditions
  • Any restrictions on main residence use
Read Our Holiday & Residential Use Guide

Planning Conditions and Site Licences

Planning permission and site licensing can affect how a holiday park is allowed to operate.

These requirements are separate from your individual contract with the park, but they may still affect opening periods, occupancy, layout and other aspects of park operation.

Changes to Park Rules

If the park introduces a new rule or changes an existing one, check your agreement to see how park rules form part of your contract.

Ask the park to explain the change clearly in writing, including when it takes effect and how it affects existing owners.

Pets

Some parks allow pets subject to conditions, while others may place restrictions on the number, type or size of animals.

Check whether the rules cover:

  • The number of pets allowed
  • Restricted breeds or types of animal
  • Lead requirements
  • Areas where pets are not permitted
  • Responsibilities for noise, fouling or nuisance

Visitors and Guests

Park rules may set conditions for visitors and overnight guests.

Check whether there are rules about:

  • Registering guests
  • Visitor parking
  • Use of facilities
  • Length of stays
  • Guest behaviour and responsibility

Letting or Subletting Your Caravan

Some parks allow owners to let their caravans to holidaymakers, while others restrict or prohibit private letting.

Before advertising your caravan, check:

  • Whether private letting is permitted
  • Whether the park must approve bookings
  • Any commission or administration charges
  • Insurance requirements
  • Guest registration requirements
  • Who is responsible for guest behaviour

Park Facilities and Services

Facilities can be an important reason for choosing a particular park, but availability may change over time.

If a particular facility or service is important to you, check what your agreement actually says rather than relying only on marketing material or verbal statements.

Noise, Behaviour and Nuisance

Holiday parks commonly have rules intended to protect the enjoyment of other owners and guests.

These may cover:

  • Excessive noise
  • Late-night disturbance
  • Antisocial behaviour
  • Unsafe driving
  • Misuse of facilities
  • Behaviour of visitors or guests

Moving Your Caravan to Another Pitch

If the park asks you to move your caravan to another pitch, check your licence agreement carefully before agreeing.

Ask:

  • Why the move is required
  • Whether your agreement allows it
  • Who pays the moving costs
  • Whether decking or other structures must also be moved
  • Whether the replacement pitch is comparable

If the Holiday Park Changes Ownership

A change in park ownership can sometimes lead to changes in management, services, rules or future plans.

Keep copies of your existing agreement, park rules and correspondence, and read any new documentation carefully before agreeing to changes.

If You Disagree With a Park Rule or Change

  1. Check your agreement. Look at how park rules are incorporated and whether changes are addressed.
  2. Keep the old and new rules. This can help you identify exactly what has changed.
  3. Ask for an explanation in writing. Find out why the change has been introduced and when it takes effect.
  4. Keep relevant evidence. Save letters, emails, notices and photographs where appropriate.
  5. Get help if necessary. If the issue develops into a dispute, further guidance may be appropriate.

Having a Problem With a Park Rule?

If your park has changed its rules, opening season, occupancy conditions or other terms, visit our owner rights section.

Owner Rights & Park Disputes

Need Help With a Holiday Park Issue?

NSCOU members can ask for guidance about park rules, opening seasons, holiday-use restrictions and other park issues.

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