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Compliance
What's Allowed
Urban Caves cabins are designed to comply with NSW Government Exempt Development codes, meaning you can typically install one without council approval if it meets the following conditions:
- Size: Under 20m² (Darley 20)
- Height: Less than 3m
- Location: Behind the building line
- Setbacks: Legal distance from boundaries
- Use: Not as a permanent residence
- Plumbing: Not connected to sewer
Your installer will guide placement during setup.
What’s Not Allowed
If you plan to:
- Sleep in your cabin regularly
- Connect the cabin to plumbing (including sewer)
- Use the cabin as a dwelling or for rental (e.g. Airbnb)
...you'll need council approval (DA) for this type of structure. Urban Caves doesn't assist with DA projects.
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What We Do
What We Don't Do
What We Don't Do
✅ We:
- Design and supply cabin kits that meet exempt development rules
- Offer optional internal partition framing (e.g. for future storage or bathroom)
- Coordinate with your electrician (Classic & Premium only) for rough-in during installation
What We Don't Do
What We Don't Do
What We Don't Do
❌ We Don’t:
- Liaise with your plumber or install any plumbing
- Support DA applications or advise on council approval
- Install anything that implies the cabin is a dwelling
Cabins are supplied as non-habitable structures.
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What's Allowed
What's Allowed
Urban Caves cabins are designed to comply with NSW Government Exempt Development codes, meaning you can typically install one without council approval if it meets the following conditions:
- Size: Under 20m² (Darley 20)
- Height: Less than 3m
- Location: Behind the building line with correct boundary setbacks
- Use: Not as a permanent residence
- Plumbing: Not connected to sewer
Your installer can help ensure these requirements are met during setup.
➡️ See the NSW Planning Portal – Exempt Development
NSW Planning Portal – Exempt Development
Compliance & Usage Guidelines
Maximising Flexibility
NSW residents are making the most of the state's flexible legislation, which allows certain minor building projects without requiring planning or building approval. This includes versatile, non-habitable structures like garden sheds, which can serve various purposes—provided they aren’t used for continuous or extended occupancy.
Our cabins offer a multipurpose space to suit your needs without the hassle of council approvals, giving you greater flexibility on your own property.
What is Exempt Development?
Exempt development covers low-impact renovations and structures that comply with specific State Policy standards, eliminating the need for planning or building approval. This includes cabanas, cubby houses, garden sheds, and gazebos, as long as they are not located on heritage sites or within environmentally sensitive areas.
What Are the Requirements for Exempt Development?
Structures qualify as exempt development under this code if they meet these standards:
- Floor Area: Maximum of 20m².
- Height: Must not exceed 3m above existing ground level.
- Setback: At least 900mm from each lot boundary.
- Building Line: Positioned behind the building line of any road frontage.
- Material Restrictions: Cannot be a shipping container and must be built with low-reflective materials.
- Drainage: Roof water must be managed to prevent nuisance to neighbours.
- Bushfire Safety: On bushfire-prone land, it must be at least 5m from a dwelling.
- Heritage Areas: In heritage conservation areas, it must be located in the rear yard.
- Access: Must not obstruct entry, exit, or fire safety measures of adjacent buildings.
- Building Classification: Classified as Class 10 and not suitable for habitation.
- Easements: At least 1m from any registered easement.
A maximum of two such structures is allowed per lot. By following these guidelines, you can take advantage of exempt development regulations without requiring formal approvals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please give us a call if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Urban Caves – Usage & Compliance FAQs
Q1. Can I sleep in my Urban Cave?
A:
Urban Caves are supplied as non-habitable structures under the NSW Exempt Development Code. This means they are not approved for use as bedrooms or permanent accommodation. If you plan to sleep in your cabin, this may trigger the need for a Development Application (DA).
We do not assist with council approval processes. Our recommended installers will only install cabins as exempt development structures.
Q2. Can I use it as a home office or studio?
A:
Yes — many of our customers use their Urban Cave as a home office, creative studio, or therapeutic space. These are considered non-habitable uses and are generally fine under the exempt development guidelines, provided there’s no sleeping, cooking, or connection to sewer.
Q3. Can I add a toilet or bathroom to my cabin?
A:
No plumbing work may occur before or during the cabin installation.
However, for Classic and Premium tiers, we can:
- Install an internal framed partition wall
- Supply, but not install, fibre cement lining panels for that internal space (e.g. future bathroom), leaving them to the side ready for your chosen tiler or bathroom contractor to install after the cabin is complete.
If you’re considering adding any kind of plumbing, you must seek your own advice from a qualified professional and council. Urban Caves and our recommended installers do not offer support for plumbing or DA-related works.
Q4. Can I install power and lighting in the cabin?
A:
Yes — for Classic and Premium tiers, we allow licensed electricians to rough in wiring during the cabin install, then return later to complete the fit-off once the structure is finished.
For Shell tier, no electrical rough-in is allowed during install.
Q5. Can I cook or install a kitchen inside my Urban Cave?
A:
Cooking facilities (fixed cooktops, ovens, full kitchens) are generally considered habitable use, which is not permitted under exempt development.
Many people opt for a simple bar fridge or kettle instead — but if you’re planning anything more, you must obtain council approval.
Q6. What’s the difference between a shed and a dwelling?
A:
A shed or cabin under exempt development is non-habitable — meaning no sleeping, cooking, or plumbing. A dwelling includes those elements and must go through a council approval process.
Even if a shed is insulated and has windows, it’s the intended use and services (e.g. plumbing) that determine its legal classification.
Q7. Can I rent out my Urban Cave as a guest room or Airbnb?
A:
No. Urban Caves are not approved as dwellings and cannot be legally rented out or used for accommodation under exempt development rules.
If you intend to rent it out, you must obtain a Development Application through your local council. We do not support this process.
Q8. Will you help me with council approval if I want to go beyond exempt development?
A:
No. Urban Caves and our recommended installers only supply and install cabins as exempt development structures.
We do not offer council liaison, advice, or participation in any application processes related to dwellings, plumbing, or sewer connections.
We can still supply a cabin as a kitset for use in an approved project — but all other works and approvals are your responsibility.
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