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Freedom Camping Act 2011

Where freedom camping permitted - Freedom camping in local authority areas

11A: Bylaws permitting freedom camping in motor vehicles that are not self-contained

You could also call this:

“Local councils can make rules about camping in vehicles without toilets”

A local authority can make rules about where you can freedom camp in vehicles that are not self-contained. These rules can say which areas in their district or region allow this type of camping. They can also set restrictions and conditions for camping in these areas.

If the local authority wants to make rules for an area that belongs to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), they need to get written permission from NZTA first. This only applies if NZTA has already said that area is a local authority area.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS854514.

Topics:
Government and voting > Local councils
Housing and property > Land use
Environment and resources > Conservation
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11: Freedom camping bylaws, or

“Rules about where and how you can camp in different parts of New Zealand”

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11B: Requirements relating to bylaws made under sections 10A to 11A, or

“Rules for making laws about where you can camp in your vehicle”

Part 2 Where freedom camping permitted
Freedom camping in local authority areas

11ABylaws permitting freedom camping in motor vehicles that are not self-contained

  1. A local authority may make bylaws defining—

  2. the local authority areas, if any, in its district or region where freedom camping in a motor vehicle that is not self-contained is permitted; and
    1. the restrictions and conditions, if any, that apply to freedom camping in those areas.

      1. The local authority must obtain the written consent of the NZTA before making a bylaw under subsection (1) that applies to an area of NZTA land that has been declared, by a bylaw made under section 10A, to be a local authority area.

      Notes
      • Section 11A: inserted, on , by section 12 of the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 24).