Hello there, adventurer and landowner. Welcome to your practical guide on UK camping legislation for 2026. You own land in England. You want to host temporary campsites. You need to understand Class BC permitted development rights. Read this guide, follow the rules, and launch your campsite legally today.
Check our Unlock Your Land and Potential page for more details.
Understanding Class BC and the 60-Day Rule
Class BC rules govern temporary recreational campsites in England. You get permitted development rights for pop-up camping. You operate your site for up to 60 days in any calendar year. You use this right without full planning permission.
Review the legal framework on our The Legals page.
Take your land. Plan your dates. Run your site for 60 total days. Split those days into blocks, or run them consecutively. Check your calendar, mark your dates, and schedule your season.
Do not exceed 60 days in total. Track your operation days carefully. Avoid breaking planning rules, risk enforcement action, and halt operations immediately if you pass the limit.
Meeting Pitch Limits and Facility Requirements
You must respect pitch limits under Class BC. Keep your site under 50 pitches. Count every pitch, limit your capacity, and stay compliant.
Provide on-site toilet and waste disposal facilities. Install moveable toilets, set up waste bins, and arrange regular waste collection. Protect the environment, maintain hygiene standards, and satisfy mandatory conditions.
Review our Get in Touch with Open Sky Adventure page for support.
Build no permanent structures. Use moveable units only. Bring in tents, campervans, and motorhomes. Exclude static caravans, install no permanent foundations, and obey development restrictions.
Submitting Annual Notifications to Your Local Planning Authority
You must notify your local planning authority in writing before you start. Send your notification, include a site plan, and state your operating dates.
Show the exact location of your toilet facilities on the plan. Mark your waste disposal points, highlight your pitch zones, and submit the documents on time.
Check local restrictions. Confirm your land sits outside Scheduled Monuments, Safety Hazard Areas, SSSIs, and Listed Building sites. Avoid prohibited zones, verify land status, and proceed with confidence.
Navigating Licensing Thresholds and Flood Zones
Understand the difference between planning rules and licensing laws. Check Public Health Act requirements for tented sites.
Operate under 42 consecutive days without a campsite licence. Exceed 42 consecutive days, apply for a site licence, and secure local authority approval.
Check your flood zone status. Check if your land sits in Flood Zone 2 or Flood Zone 3. Obtain prior approval from your local planning authority before you open each year, protect your campers, and follow safety protocols.
Transitioning from the Old 28-Day Rule
Forget the old Class B 28-day rule for ordinary camping. Government amendments changed the law. Ordinary camping relies exclusively on Class BC.
Use Class B only for camping connected with festivals. Update your operating plans, discard outdated assumptions, and adopt Class BC rules for 2026.
Action Plan for Landowners
Take action now. Inspect your land. Confirm your location in England. Check your flood zone category. Count your proposed pitches. Plan your 60-day schedule.
Install your temporary facilities. Prepare your site plan. Notify your local planning authority. Open your campsite, welcome guests, and generate income from your outdoor space.
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