Step-by-step plan: Starting a campsite
Do you want to use a plot of land as a campsite for tents, caravans, hikers' huts, or other types of camping accommodation? There are several rules and obligations. If you want to start a campsite, find out what you must do and arrange.
You may start a campsite in areas where recreation is allowed. You can check this in the environment plan of the municipality where you want to start your campsite.
There is a lot involved in starting a business. A business plan describes your plans and how you plan to make a profit. Choose a trade name and a legal structure and register with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK. Read which steps you need to take before you start.
Be prepared:
- With the KVK Market Scan, you can learn about the area, how the competition is doing, and the local population.
Would you like to know whether you can earn enough money with your business idea? Fill in the KVK Verdiencheck (Income Check).
Do you need extra money to carry out your plans? Find out what options there are for borrowing money. You can also consider crowdfunding or a financing mix.
Every municipality has general municipal bylaws (Algemene Plaatselijke Verordening, APV). These bylaws contain the rules of your municipality on public order and safety. For example, about noise or parking. Your campsite must comply with these bylaws. They may also contain rules that are not yet included in the environment plan.
At a campsite, you offer overnight stays. That means you must keep a visitor register. It shows who is staying overnight at your site and when. This is important for the fire brigade, for example, if there is an emergency.
Protect personal data
To protect the privacy of guests, you are not allowed to make a copy of their ID. This is stated in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
You must collect and pay tourist tax to the municipality for all guests who pay to stay with you, and who do not live in the municipality where your campsite is located.
Check which other municipal taxes and fees you may have to pay, such as sewerage charges, waste collection fees, and other charges.
Are you planning to install sanitary facilities on your campsite? Such as toilets or showers? Then make sure the buildings comply with the building regulations. A structure must not be a danger to users or the environment. You must also take measures to prevent Legionella contamination.
Specific rules also apply to building a swimming pool or installing playground equipment.
Check if any environmentally harmful activities take place at your campsite. For example, discharging sewage water or activities that will cause too much noise. You can look this up at the Living Environment Information Point (in Dutch).
Setting up a campsite close to nature
Do you want to set up your campsite in or near a nature reserve? Then check whether this nature area is a Natura 2000 area. These are places where nature and animals are protected. You usually need a special environment and planning permit for any activity within a Natura 2000 area. Special rules then apply. Find out which rules apply when applying for an environment and planning permit. Read more about activities that might have a harmful impact on protected natural assets.
Are you starting a café, restaurant, or other type of catering on your campsite? In addition to specific rules for hospitality, you will need an operating permit in many municipalities.
Rules for disposable plastic
You are not allowed to offer your guests disposable plastic cups, cutlery, and food containers for use in your catering business. Read more about the rules for disposable plastic cups and containers.
You are required to separate your company waste. Which waste you need to separate depends on your situation. For example, how large your business is, and how much waste you produce each week. Use the Company waste separation tool to check which rules apply to you and which waste you need to separate.
Read more about separating company waste.