Urban Caves
Home
Studios
Landscaping
Approach
Contact
The Five Day Build
Studio 10
Studio 13
Studio 20
Pricing
Site Visit
Versatility
Considerations
Compliance
Urban Caves
Home
Studios
Landscaping
Approach
Contact
The Five Day Build
Studio 10
Studio 13
Studio 20
Pricing
Site Visit
Versatility
Considerations
Compliance
More
  • Home
  • Studios
  • Landscaping
  • Approach
  • Contact
  • The Five Day Build
  • Studio 10
  • Studio 13
  • Studio 20
  • Pricing
  • Site Visit
  • Versatility
  • Considerations
  • Compliance
  • Sign In

  • My Account
  • Signed in as:

  • filler@godaddy.com


  • My Account
  • Sign out

Signed in as:

filler@godaddy.com

  • Home
  • Studios
  • Landscaping
  • Approach
  • Contact
  • The Five Day Build
  • Studio 10
  • Studio 13
  • Studio 20
  • Pricing
  • Site Visit
  • Versatility
  • Considerations
  • Compliance

Account


  • My Account
  • Sign out


  • Sign In
  • My Account

Compliance

Ticking boxes isn’t fun.
Luckily, we’ve done it for you.

Skip the red tape.

Urban Caves cabins are designed to comply with NSW Exempt Development rules, so you can usually install one without council approval — as long as you stick to a few key requirements.

✅ What makes it exempt?

To avoid needing council approval (DA), your cabin must:

  • Be under 20m² (e.g. our STUDIO 20)
  • Stay under 3m high from natural ground level
  • Sit behind the front building line
  • Be at least 900mm from all boundaries
  • Not connect to sewer or water
  • Be used as a non-habitable space (not a bedroom, home, or rental)
  • Use low-reflective, non-shipping-container materials
  • Manage roof water to avoid runoff onto neighbouring properties
  • Be at least 5m from a dwelling on bushfire-prone land
  • Stay in the rear yard if in a heritage area
  • Keep clear access paths for fire and entry to any adjacent structures
  • Maintain at least 1m clearance from easements
  • Have no more than 2 such structures on your lot

NSW Guidelines

🚫 What breaks the rules?

You’ll need a Development Application (DA) if you plan to:

  • Use your cabin as a dwelling or rental
  • Sleep in it regularly
  • Connect plumbing (toilets, showers, kitchen, etc.)

Urban Caves does not support DA projects. These cabins are supplied strictly as Class 10 non-habitable structures.

Our role.

Here’s what we can and can’t do:

✔️ We do:

  • Design cabins to meet exempt code
  • Help you choose a compliant location on install day
  • Offer optional internal wall framing
  • Coordinate electrical rough-in during install

❌ We don’t:

  • Install or coordinate plumbing
  • Submit council applications
  • Build anything that implies permanent living use

Many uses. Zero hassle.

Our goal? Make the rules easy — so you can focus on enjoying your new space without the stress of permits or paperwork.

Frequently asked questions.

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.


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.


No plumbing work may occur before or during cabin installation.
However, we can frame an internal partition wall (e.g. for a future bathroom).

We do not install any internal wall linings where plumbing might go — that’s up to your chosen trades after the cabin is complete. If you’re considering adding plumbing, you’ll need to seek your own advice from a qualified professional or your local council. Urban Caves and our installers do not provide support for plumbing or DA-related works.


Electrical rough-in is only available when we’re installing insulation and lining.
If you're getting a fully lined cabin, your licensed electrician can rough in wiring during the install and return later to fit it off.
For Shell cabins, no rough-in occurs during install — you’ll handle that after we’re done.


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.


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.


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.


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.


Explore the STUDIO Range
Explore the STUDIO 20

Copyright © 2025 Urban Caves Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • Studios
  • Landscaping
  • Approach
  • Contact
  • The Five Day Build
  • Studio 10
  • Studio 13
  • Studio 20
  • Pricing
  • Site Visit
  • Versatility
  • Considerations
  • Compliance

Just basic cookies!

We track stats, not personal data. All good?

Got It!