Campsite Generator Policy Guide for UK Owners

A campsite generator policy is one of those things you only think about after the first complaint. A guest fires up a petrol generator at 7am, the family next door was hoping for a lie in, and suddenly you are refereeing a dispute over a pitch fence. I have seen it happen on small CL sites and large touring parks alike.

The good news is that a clear policy takes about twenty minutes to write and saves you a lot of awkward conversations. Here is how I would approach it for a UK campsite.

Why you need a generator policy

Generators cause three kinds of trouble on a campsite: noise, fumes and fire risk. Noise is the one you will hear about most. Guests come to escape traffic and hum, and a rattling generator carries a surprisingly long way across a quiet field.

Fumes matter more than people realise. Carbon monoxide from a generator running too close to a tent, awning or caravan window can be fatal. That is not scaremongering, it is why the safety advice from the major clubs is so firm.

Then there is fuel. Petrol stored badly or topped up while the engine is hot is a genuine fire hazard, and your insurer will want to know you have thought about it.

Decide what you will allow

There are really only three options, and the right one depends on your site.

• Ban generators completely. Simple to explain and popular on quiet, adults only or nature focused sites. Works best if you offer electric hook ups.
• Allow them with limits. Permitted only at set hours, only quiet models, and only on certain pitches.
• Allow them freely. Rarely a good idea unless you run a rally field or a very large site with plenty of space between pitches.

Most owners I speak to land on the middle option. It keeps the guests who genuinely rely on a generator happy, while protecting everyone else.

If you have hook ups, the answer is easier

Where a pitch has electric, there is little reason for a generator at all. Your policy can simply say generators are not permitted on hook up pitches. If you are still planning your electrics, our guide to electric hook ups on a campsite covers amps, bollards and how to charge fairly.

What to put in the policy

Keep it short enough that guests will actually read it. A good policy covers:

• Permitted hours. For example 9am to 6pm only, and never during your quiet hours.
• Noise limit. Many sites set a maximum such as 60 dB at 7 metres, or simply say inverter or "suitcase" style generators only.
• Placement. Generators must sit on the ground at least a few metres from tents, awnings and caravan windows, with the exhaust pointing away from sleeping areas.
• Fuel handling. Engine off and cooled before refuelling. Fuel stored in approved containers only, and never inside a tent or awning.
• Carbon monoxide. Never run a generator inside an awning, vehicle or any enclosed space. Recommend a battery powered CO alarm.
• What happens if the rules are broken. A friendly first reminder, then a clear consequence.

It helps to link this to your wider rules on noise. If you have not written those yet, see our guide to quiet hours and noise policies, because the two should always match.

Think about the quieter alternatives

Guests rarely want to run a generator. They just want power. If you can offer an alternative, you will have far fewer problems.

• Hook up pitches. The obvious fix, and a good earner. Even a few pitches with electric can change how people use your site.
• Charging point. A shared point in the reception or a shower block for phones, e-bikes and power banks.
• Portable power stations. Guests increasingly arrive with battery units and solar panels. These are silent and safe, so your policy should welcome them.
• Electric vehicle charging. If you are thinking about it, read our EV charging guide for campsites.

Tell guests before they arrive

A rule nobody has seen is a rule nobody follows. The best moment to mention your generator policy is before the guest has even packed the van.

• Put a one line summary on your booking page and in your terms and conditions.
• Include it in the confirmation email, so it lands in their inbox with the rest of their trip details.
• Add it to your arrival information and a sign at reception.
• Mention it at check in, briefly and with a smile.

With CampSuite you can add your site rules to the automated guest messages, so every booking gets the same information without you typing it out. It also records that the guest accepted your terms when they booked online, which is very handy if a dispute ever comes up. Our guide on campsite terms and conditions shows where this fits.

Handling a guest who ignores the rules

It will happen eventually. Stay calm and keep it friendly. Most people have simply not read the rules, or have a genuine reason such as powering a medical device.

A simple three step approach

• Ask politely. Walk over, introduce yourself and explain the policy. No emails, no notes on the door.
• Offer a solution. Move them to a hook up pitch, or agree sensible hours.
• Follow through. If they carry on, a second conversation, and in the end the right to ask them to leave, as set out in your terms.

Always make an exception for medical equipment such as CPAP machines, as long as it is run safely. A short note in your policy saying guests with medical needs should speak to you in advance is kind and sensible.

Fuel storage and fire safety in more detail

Fuel is where a minor rule breach turns into a serious incident, so it is worth spelling out. Guests should only bring what they need for their stay. Spare petrol cans belong outside the unit, upright, in the shade and away from barbecues, fire pits and gas bottles.

Refuelling a hot generator is the classic mistake. Spilled petrol on a hot exhaust can ignite in seconds. Your policy should say the engine must be switched off and left to cool before it is topped up.

Make sure your own fire plan covers the possibility. Fire extinguishers should be easy to find, and your team should know what to do. Our campsite fire safety guide walks through the basics, and it pairs nicely with your risk assessment.

Special cases: rallies, events and long stays

Rules that work for a normal weekend can need a tweak at busy times. If you host a club rally, as many CL and CS sites do, you may have guests who bring generators as standard. Tell the organiser your rules early and agree a quiet area for anyone who needs one.

The same goes for seasonal and long stay guests. Someone who is on your site for months will want reliable power. Offering them a hook up pitch, and charging a fair rate for the electricity, is far better than allowing a generator to run every afternoon.

Review the policy each season

Technology moves fast. Five years ago a silent power source was a novelty, now many guests arrive with one. Look back at your complaints and near misses at the end of each season, and tweak the wording. If you keep notes of every issue, patterns appear quickly and the rules almost write themselves.

The takeaway

A good generator policy protects your guests, your site and your insurance. Decide what you allow, set clear hours and placement rules, offer alternatives where you can, and tell people before they arrive. Do those four things and the 7am generator problem mostly disappears.

If you want your rules to go out automatically with every booking, start with CampSuite for free. It takes about 15 minutes to set up, and you can see how the plans work on the pricing page.

Rob