Encyclopedia
Seasonal campground
A campground that operates part of the year.
For example: A buyer checks local rules on seasonal operation. (Illustration only, not a real deal.)
Official source: Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act (BC Laws)
Example only, not a real client. Say you look at a campground open only in summer. Its income comes in a few busy months, so you check year-over-year results and plan cash flow for the off-season.
What I’d tell a friend
Check how many months a seasonal property earns income, and plan for the quiet season.
Why it matters to you
A bad summer or a wildfire season can cut income hard. Buyers should look at several years of results and check how much of the business depends on weather and a short season.
How to use it in your deal
Buyers should review several years of revenue by month, occupancy, average daily rate, booking sources and repeat customers.
Check how long-stay or seasonal sites are handled, since tenants who stay long enough may be covered by the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act or Residential Tenancy Act, which changes your rights. Confirm zoning, water and sewage permits, health approvals, and any limits on operating months or site numbers.
Look at infrastructure like water systems, septic fields, electrical service and roads, which can be expensive to fix. Check insurance, wildfire and flood risk, and staff housing. Lenders may be cautious about seasonal businesses, so plan financing. Find out if the business relies on one owner's personal relationships. Stay a weekend if you can; you'll learn more than from the spreadsheet.
Mistakes I see
Ignoring tenancy laws for long-stay guests. Underestimating infrastructure costs. Relying on one strong season.
In BC and Vancouver
The Drinking Water Protection Act and local health authority permits apply; tenancy laws may cover long-stay occupants.
Official sources: Drinking Water Protection Act (BC Laws) · Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act (BC Laws) · Residential Tenancy Act (BC Laws)
What it is
A seasonal campground operates for part of the year, often due to weather or permits.
Income can vary with weather, travel trends and local events.
What to check
Ask for several years of monthly revenue and occupancy.
Check zoning, permits and any limits on length of stay. I can help you compare campgrounds.
Questions to ask before you sign
- What's revenue by month?
- How are seasonal sites handled?
- What permits apply?
- What's the infrastructure condition?
Keep reading
Related terms: Long-stay site
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General information for British Columbia only. It isn’t legal, tax, accounting or financial advice, laws and rates change, and reading it doesn’t make you my client. Any numbers or scenarios are hypothetical. Check the linked official source and talk to a lawyer, accountant or other qualified professional before you act or sign anything. See the terms and disclaimer.