As part of our Host Standards, Hipcamp expects Hosts to follow all applicable regulations for hosting overnight guests. This includes permitting requirements, fire safety standards, waste management laws, and more. Every property is unique, and every jurisdiction has distinct rules, so it’s important for Hosts to do their own research and stay compliant.
In many cases, regulations were written decades ago and are primarily suited to commercial campgrounds or RV parks rather than to small-scale, low-impact camping on rural or agricultural land. Nonetheless, Hosts must adhere to all applicable laws.
If you're speaking with your local planning department, council, or elected officials, you may find it helpful to share examples of policies from other places that support low-impact camping and agritourism. These real-world examples show how regulations can be written to help landowners earn supplemental income, protect the environment, and expand access to the outdoors—without compromising safety or rural character.
Below are examples of regulations from around the world on this topic.
🇺🇸 County-Level Policies (USA)
San Benito County, California: Low Impact Camping
Allows up to 9 sites (tent, RV, glamping, or yurts) on rural and agricultural land with minimal infrastructure. “Aims to support rural economic development, offer affordable experiences, and assist landowners in generating sustainable revenue while conserving their land.”
- County information page
- Press coverage: "Supervisors come through for rural property owners"
- Press coverage: "California County Approves Low-Impact Camping Ordinance"
Santa Barbara County, California: Agricultural Enterprise Ordinance
Streamlines approval for compatible land uses, including rural recreation and low-impact camping on working farms.
San Luis Obispo County, California: Rural Recreation and Camping
Allows small-scale, temporary or seasonal, tent, van, or RV camping with minimal amenities on rural and agricultural lands. Local Farm Bureau have long advocated for reduced setback requirements that would make these activities accessible for more farmers and ranchers in the county. Read more here.
Nevada County, California: Campgrounds, Low-Intensity
Allows for camping areas of a “less intensive nature within rural and forested areas” of the county. Designed to create opportunities for camping and recreation that “provide for more open space, have less need for infrastructure, generate less traffic, and have less on-site development than uses allowed within [commercial districts]” (NCC 12.03.060).
Tehama County, California: Agritourism, agri-nature-tourism, geotourism, glamping, agricultural homestay, and environmental learning tourism uses
Allows for agritourism, agri-nature-tourism, geotourism, and glamping on rural and agricultural properties.
Trinity County, California: Temporary Occupancies
Allows for temporary occupancies including camping and the placement of recreational vehicles.
Chaffee County, Colorado: Camping on Private Land - Commercial, Primitive
Administrative permits for landowners with 5+ acres to host up to 10 campsites for agritourism or education.
- Press coverage: How Chaffee County, CO Crafted a "Win-Win" for Recreation and Agriculture
- Press coverage: Private Land Camping Ordinance Passed in Colorado’s Chaffee County
Henderson County, North Carolina: Camping, Low Impact
Simplified approval process for up to 10 campsites on properties zoned rural, agricultural, or residential.
Leelanau Township, Michigan: Farm Stay Campgrounds
Permits up to 5 campsites on active agricultural properties.
🌿 State-Level Policies (USA)
California: Low-Impact Camping Areas
In 2025 the California legislature passed a bill to create a definition of and streamline permitting for “low-impact camping areas” at the state level. This creates a differentiation between small-scale camping and traditional commercial campgrounds, and exempts landowners hosting low-impact camping areas from state regulation as long as they a) meet the state definition and b) get local government permission to operate.
- Hipcamp Journal: California makes low-impact camping official—what it means for you
- Press coverage: California bill expands camping access in rural areas
- Press coverage: California passes AB 518, expanding camping access and supporting rural communities
Maryland: Agritourism Definition
Since 2021, camping and incidental outdoor stays are officially included in Maryland’s definition of "agritourism" in state law, opening up new income opportunities for farmers.
- Press coverage: Camping is officially agritourism, definition change opens possibilities for farmers
- Press coverage: Maryland Opens Gate to Farm Stays, Economic Opportunities With New Legislation That Expands Definition of Agritourism
- Press coverage: Farmers find new source of income renting land for outdoor stays
Michigan / New York / North Carolina: Definitions of Campgrounds
States often define a "campground" as a property with 5 or more (MI, NY) or 10+ (NC) campsites. These thresholds affect how a site is regulated and ease the burden on the smallest, low-impact sites.
🌏 International Examples
New South Wales, Australia: Agritourism Reforms
Qualifying agricultural operators in New South Wales can set up agritourism businesses and offer farm stay accommodation, including hosting tent, caravan, campervan, and glamping tent campers, with fast-tracked approval or no planning or building approval.
- Hipcamp Journal & Host Videos
- Press coverage: NSW farmers get go-ahead on agritourism
- Press coverage: Gate opens to new agritourism opportunities
United Kingdom: Permitted Development Rights (PDR)
Permitted Development Rights (PDR) in England and Wales allow landowners to make alterations to their properties without requiring full planning permission, including offering temporary recreational campsites.
Shaping Better Camping Laws Together
Hipcamp believes that well-designed, responsible camping regulations can benefit landowners, communities, and ecosystems alike. We're proud to support reforms that create economic opportunity while protecting land and promoting safe outdoor access.
If you're engaging with local officials, feel free to share this page or reach out to Hipcamp for support via policy@hipcamp.com. Together, we can help shape policies that make low-impact camping safer, simpler, and more sustainable for everyone.