Hello, welcome to our guide on Welsh camping laws. New rules are here for 2026. You own land in Wales. You want to host campers. You must follow Class BA regulations. This guide shows you how. Read these steps. Start your site correctly.
Understand Class BA Permitted Development
Class BA is a law in Wales. It allows temporary campsites. You do not always need full planning permission. It covers tents, motorhomes, and campervans. You must know your location. Your land sits in one of two zones.
The 60-Day Rule
Most land in Wales falls under the 60-day rule. You can host campers for 60 days per year. These days do not have to be consecutive. Use them for summer weekends. Use them for bank holidays. Check your boundary first. Ensure your land is not in a restricted area.
The 28-Day Rule in National Parks
Some land has stricter limits. Land in National Parks stays at 28 days. This includes Eryri, Bannau Brycheiniog, and the Pembrokeshire Coast. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) also follow the 28-day limit. World Heritage Sites follow this too. Do not exceed these limits. You risk fines. You risk site closure.
View the legals for more details.
Respect the 100m Buffer Zone
The 100m buffer is a new rule. It protects people living near you. You cannot place a campsite within 100 meters of a protected building. A protected building is usually a house. It is a home you do not control.
Measure Your Land
Get a map. Find the nearest houses. Draw a circle with a 100-meter radius. Keep your tents outside this circle. Keep your campervans away. This reduces noise. This prevents complaints.
Check Control
You can ignore the buffer for your own home. If you own the house next door, the rule may change. Check with your local council. Most hospitality owners must stay 100 meters away. Do this before you buy equipment. Do this before you take bookings.
Unlock your land and potential with our help.
Navigate the Prior Approval Process
Class BA rights are not automatic. You must ask the council first. This is called Prior Approval. You must do this every year. Do not skip this step.
Prepare Your Application
Submit your plans before you open. Tell the council about four things:
- Toilet facilities.
- Wastewater disposal.
- Waste disposal for trash.
- Vehicle access routes.
Wait for the Decision
The council has 28 days to reply. They might say approval is not needed. They might say you need to apply for approval. If you hear nothing in 28 days, you can start. Always keep a copy of your application. Keep proof of the date you sent it.
Manage Facilities
Provide clean toilets. Set up waste bins. Ensure cars can enter safely. Keep the road clear. Good facilities mean happy campers. They also mean happy councils.
Check National Park Restrictions
National Parks in Wales have unique powers. They can remove your rights. This is called an Article 4 Direction.
Pembrokeshire Coast Rules
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has new rules for 2026. They removed general camping rights. You need planning permission there. Even for 28 days. Check your local park authority website.
Other Welsh Parks
Eryri and Bannau Brycheiniog have different rules. They may still allow 28 days under Class BA. Always verify your specific field. Rules change by county. Rules change by park.
Take Action Today
Running a campsite is a business. It requires legal knowledge. It requires safety plans. Open Sky Adventure leads the industry. We understand the 2026 Welsh legislation. We help farmers. We help landowners. We help hospitality owners.
Follow These Steps
- Locate your land on a map.
- Identify National Park boundaries.
- Measure 100 meters from neighbors.
- Contact your local planning office.
- Apply for Prior Approval annually.
Do not guess the rules. Do not ignore the law. Start your adventure now. We will happily help you, signup live now if you have an interest in joining our license agreement.