Bylaws, Regulations and Safety

Bylaws & regulations

Safety

Bylaws & regulations

How many vehicles can I host at once?

That depends on whether you're a registered campground and on your council's rules:

  • Registered campground: as many as your registration allows.
  • Not registered: under the Camping-Grounds Regulations 1985, you can generally host one party (one or more people) for payment at a time, as long as your district plan doesn't add conditions.
  • More than one vehicle at once: you may need an exemption from the Camping-Grounds Regulations (usually self-contained vehicles only) or other council consent. Costs vary by council.

We suggest starting with one vehicle. If it goes well, an exemption can be a good investment, and we're happy to help. Some councils have district plan rules or bylaws that make hosting harder. Ask your council, or contact us for a chat.

Source: Camping-Grounds Regulations 1985.

Do freedom-camping bylaws apply to my land?

Freedom-camping bylaws and the new self-contained vehicle rules cover camping on public land (council and DOC). Guests staying with you on private land, with your permission and booked through Campable, aren't freedom camping. Your district plan and the Camping-Grounds Regulations still apply.

Source: PGDB.

What about hosting for an event?

You can open just for an event using a one-off season in Calendar & prices. If you plan to host more than one party during an event, you'll probably need a temporary consent from your council.

Do I need to charge GST?

Only if you're GST-registered. It's your responsibility to include GST in your price and account for it. If you're unsure, check with your accountant.

Safety

What should I do to keep guests safe?

  • Tell guests about hazards on your property: water, cliffs, stock, bulls, electric fences, machinery, farm dogs, spraying. Put them in your house rules and arrival instructions.
  • Consider an arrival video showing the safe route in and where to park.
  • Ask guests to check in and out if that suits you.
  • If you have your own health and safety policy, link to it in your description.

What does Campable do?

  • Every guest agrees to our Rules of Etiquette as part of our terms. These include respecting gates and stock, parking only where you ask, no fires or drones without permission, quiet at night, and no toilet business on your land.
  • We help you and your guests talk before arrival.
  • Two-way reviews and low-rating rules help keep poor guests away.

What if a guest breaks the rules?

Contact us straight away. Guests who break the Rules of Etiquette can be removed from Campable. Leave an honest host review too; it protects other hosts.

Should guests light fires?

Only if you allow it. Set your Fires option per site (no fires / fire pit / BBQ only / depends on the fire season), and check the current fire season at checkitsalright.nz.

Back to all host FAQs · Still stuck? Message us in your Campable thread or email support@campable.com.

Happy hosting!

The Campable Team