Te Ture ā-Rohe mō te Puni Mataraharaha ki rō Waka 2022
Freedom Camping in Vehicles Bylaw 2022
This bylaw promotes responsible freedom camping in Auckland. It includes rules about where you can and cannot freedom camp in vehicles.
You should know
The Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023 replaces the Freedom Camping Act 2011.
Changes include:
- the requirement for a fixed toilet
- new infringement fees and fines.
We have updated the related information in the Freedom Camping in Vehicles Bylaw 2022, where changes may affect you.
What the Freedom Camping in Vehicles Bylaw covers
This bylaw manages freedom camping on most council-controlled public land in Auckland, including most roadsides. Its rules apply to people staying overnight in these areas in a vehicle or caravan as part of leisure travel, or for lifestyle reasons.
The bylaw includes:
- 58 areas where freedom camping is prohibited (not allowed)
- 20 areas where freedom camping is restricted (extra rules apply). For example, limits on the number of vehicles allowed to park overnight and where you can park
- four general rules that apply to all other areas covered by this bylaw
. - special rules for freedom camping on Waiheke Island.
The general rules in this bylaw require freedom campers to:
- use a certified self-contained vehicle
- stay for no more than two nights in a road or off-road parking area
- depart by 9am on the third day
- not return to stay in the same road or off-road parking area for two weeks.
You should know
On Waiheke Island, the "stay for no more than two nights" rule applies to the entire island because there is no public dump station to dispose of human waste. This means that if you are staying on Waiheke Island in a freedom camping vehicle, you must leave the island on the third day to dispose of your waste. You can only stay longer if you have booked other accommodation for the rest of your stay.
If you break the rules or camp in prohibited areas, you can be fined $200.
What is not covered by the Freedom Camping in Vehicles Bylaw
This bylaw does not apply to all land in Auckland. It also does not cover all the rules that apply to freedom campers in Auckland.
The bylaw
does not cover:
- Freedom camping in vehicles and caravans on private land.
- Freedom camping on council reserves (parkland) which is currently prohibited under the Reserves Act.
- Freedom camping in
regional parks (which is currently prohibited in the
Regional Parks Management Plan) and freedom camping in vehicles and caravans in areas managed by other laws, bylaws or agencies - for example maunga (volcanic cones), state highways and conservation land.
- Freedom camping in a tent in public places which is already prohibited in Auckland under the
Public Safety and Nuisance Bylaw.
- Everyday traffic and parking rules - for example, you must:
- not park in clearways, on dotted yellow lines, or on grass
- not block people’s driveways
- not park in areas where parking is reserved or where a fee is charged to park (such as council parking buildings)
- must comply with parking time limits.
- General rules for responsible behaviour in public places - for example rules for:
We do not use this bylaw to manage homelessness. If you have concerns for the welfare of someone staying in a public place, see
Community and safety support for more information and advice.
Planning a freedom camping trip in Auckland
Check
the rules and guidelines for freedom camping in the Auckland region.
Check where freedom camping is prohibited and restricted in the Auckland region under the Freedom Camping in Vehicles Bylaw.
Get a copy of the Freedom Camping in Vehicles Bylaw 2022
Related topics
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