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Caravan parks and camping grounds

There are more than 32 caravan parks and camping grounds operating in Eurobodalla Shire. Council plays an important role in regulating these parks and grounds via its inspection program and approval to operate process.

This information is for general information purposes only and should not be relied upon for legal advice.

Planning approval of caravan parks and camping grounds

Development for the purpose of caravan parks and camping grounds is regulated under:

The LEP regulates whether caravan parks or camping grounds are permitted on any particular parcel of land.

For more advice about how to obtain approval for a caravan park/camping ground, refer to the development process page.

Approval to operate a camping ground or caravan park

An approval from Council under Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 (LG Act) is needed to operate a camping ground or caravan park. The approval lapses after five years (or such shorter or longer period set by Council).

The relevant Regulation for caravan parks and camping grounds is:

You can apply for approval to operate your caravan park or camping ground via the NSW Planning Portal:

Installing various types of moveable dwellings and associated structures in camping grounds or caravan parks

Installations are also regulated by the Local Government (Manufactured Home Estates, Caravan Parks, Camping Grounds and Moveable Dwellings) Regulation 2021.

Installation of a caravan associated structure (ie, verandah, carport), relocatable home, tent or annexe on a dwelling site in a caravan park does not need the prior approval of Council if it is designed, constructed and installed in accordance with the Regulation and the approval holder agrees to the installation.

However, Council approval is needed to install a relocatable home, rigid annexe or associated structure on a dwelling site in a camping ground or caravan park if the home, annexe or structure is more than one storey in height and/or is on flood-liable land.

You can apply for approval via the NSW Planning Portal:

Temporary camping grounds/caravan parks

A camping ground/caravan park operated for up to six weeks in connection with a recreational, sporting or cultural event is not subject to the same operating requirements the Regulation sets for permanent grounds and parks. However, development consent and an approval to operate are still required for the temporary ground or park.

Answers to frequently asked questions

When is approval needed?

Any alteration, addition or installation of a relocatable home or associated structure on flood-liable land, or that which is greater than one storey (Section 68 local government activity), requires the prior approval of Council.

To find out if your park is flood-liable, please speak to your park management or contact Council.

When is approval not needed?

Council approval is not needed for works such as:

  • paving and driveway surfacing which does not significantly alter the existing ground level
  • maintenance, repair and renovation work - limited to painting and replacing deteriorated furnishings, floor sheeting, wall cladding or roof sheeting.

Before doing these works, you should first speak to your park management, who should advise whether the work proposed is in accordance with the Regulation, and whether an Application to Install needs to be lodged with Council.

Where prior approval is not needed, all works must comply with the:

What next?

For all installations in a caravan park or camping ground, you are required to complete a Notice of Completion of Installation and send it to Council within seven days after the works are completed:

You can email your application and supporting documents to Council's Development Help Desk staff at:

For information about what you must include with your application, refer to Council's checklist and fact sheet attached to the application:

You can lodge your application and supporting documents via the NSW Planning Portal:

A camping ground/caravan park operated for up to six weeks in connection with a recreational, sporting or cultural event is not subject to the same operating requirements the Regulation sets for permanent grounds and parks. However, development consent and an approval to operate are still required for the temporary ground or park.

  • Refer to our page about planning events for information about the approval process.

The Regulation does not generally allow a deck, verandah or awning to be modified in order to be used as a habitable room, unless it can be shown that the conversion meets the definition of an annexe. The Regulation defines an annexe as being:

  • an attachment to a relocatable home or caravan
    and
  • is used as an extension of the habitable area of the relocatable home or caravan
    and
  • is capable of being erected or removed within 24 hours.

No more than two-thirds of the dwelling site should be occupied by a relocatable home and other roofed structure.

The calculation of site coverage for camping grounds and caravan parks is explained under Section 138 of the Regulation.

In the case of a caravan park, the dwelling site, if not already provided with a covered car space or if there is no resident parking space provided elsewhere within the park, must have an accessible area car space (measuring 6m by 3m), which should also be included in the calculation of site coverage.

Setback requirements for structures vary depending on the type of structure proposed and the type of site it is located on. Generally, each structure must not be installed less than 3 metres from another structure in relation to a long-term site, and no less than 2.5 metres in the case of a short-term dwelling site.

Excluding carports/garages

The minimum separation distances for moveable dwellings and associated structures, excluding carports/garages on a dwelling site in a caravan park are:

  • 3m for installations on different long-term sites
  • 3m for installations on a long-term and short-term site
  • 2.5m for installations on different short-term sites.

It is important to note that:

  • All installations must be set back 1m (min) from an internal park road.
  • No more than one moveable dwelling per dwelling site.
  • A caravan must not be installed on a dwelling site on which a relocatable home is installed.

Including carports/garages

The minimum separation distances for moveable dwellings and associated structures, including carports/garages on a dwelling site in a caravan park are:

  • 3m for installations on adjoining dwelling sites, including carports
  • 3m for installations on a long-term and short-term site
  • 2.5m for installations on short-term sites.

It is important to note that:

  • All installations must be set back 1m (min) from an internal park road.
  • Carports must have a minimum of two sides open and half of its perimeter open. If not, then this structure will be defined as a garage and must comply with Section 140 of the Regulation.
  • No more than one moveable dwelling per dwelling site.
  • A caravan must not be installed on a dwelling site on which a relocatable home is installed.
  • See Section 139 and Section 140 of the Regulation for exemptions relating to garages and carports.

Various types of installations

The minimum separation distances for various types of installations in a caravan park are:

  • 3m for installations on adjoining dwelling sites, including carports
  • 3m for installations on a long-term and short-term site
  • 2.5m for installations on short-term sites.

It is important to note that:

  • All installations must be set back 1m (min) from an internal park road.
  • Carports must have a minimum of two sides open and one-third of its perimeter open. If not, then this structure will be defined as a garage and must comply with Section 140 of the Regulation.
  • No more than one moveable dwelling per dwelling site.
  • A caravan must not be installed on a dwelling site on which a relocatable home is installed.
  • See Section 139 and Section 140 of the Regulation for exemptions relating to garages and carports.

If Council becomes aware that work has been carried out on a dwelling site not in accordance with the Regulation, Council may take enforcement action, which could include any of the following:

  • the issue of a formal letter
  • the issue of verbal advice
  • the issue of notices/orders
  • refusal to issue an approval to operate the manufactured home estate/caravan park
  • commencement of legal proceedings.

We can help you

For more information, contact our Development Help Desk: