What are the rules about keeping a caravan in your garden?

Reader question: What are the rules about keeping a caravan in your garden? Does it pose a problem at all?

You can keep a caravan in your garden, but there are some rules you need to follow to do so. 

Caravans that are pulled by vehicles can generally be kept in gardens for up to three months without any additional requirements, as long as the caravan retains its mobility (ie. you do not remove the wheels).

It cannot, however, be used as a dwelling for you or anyone else.

Beyond this three month limit, you need to request permission to keep it there at the local mairie, through a prior works declaration (déclaration préalable de travaux). 

This can often be done online, or otherwise on a form sent to the mairie. The same is required for any length of time if you remove the wheels.

The local planning rules (PLU, plan local d’urbanisme) may include regulations related to this, so you may also wish to check these in advance before sending in the form. 

Mobile homes cannot be kept in a garden of a property but need to be placed in a campsite or holiday park/village. 

The only exception is if the mobile home is listed as your primary residence and has had its means of mobility removed, in which case you can install it on land you own. 

To do this, you must: 

• Spend at least eight months of the year in the mobile home
• Park the mobile home on land that is constructible et viabilisé (is authorised for building and is linked up to utilities).

You need to submit a prior works declaration to the mairie if the home is 20m² or less, otherwise need a building permit (permis de construire). 

Note that keeping your caravan or mobile home in your garden may affect your insurance policy (both for your property and caravan). Check with insurers that this is within the terms and conditions.