Tiny Homes

You can keep your tiny home it in your backyard or on your property without requiring development approval, provided it can be registered with RMS as a trailer and you meet specific exemptions.

Under NSW Local Government (Manufactured Home Estates, Caravan Parks, Camping Grounds and Moveable Dwellings) Regulation 2021  you can: 

1. Have up to two caravans, campervans, or tents for short-term stays (up to 2 consecutive days) for no more than 60 days each year.
2. Have a single caravan, campervan, or tent for a long-term household member to reside in, but only if you already have an approved dwelling (house) on the property. The tiny house must be maintained in a safe and healthy condition.
3. A caravan on pastoral or agricultural land that is merely occupied seasonally by person employed in pastoral or agricultural operations.
4. A moveable dwelling or associated structure on land to accommodate a person who has been displaced as a result of a natural disaster, if the moveable dwelling or associated structure is maintained in a safe and a healthy condition and is to be removed within 2 years of it being installed.

Please note that the details in this clause may change frequently, and it's advisable to keep updated on current standards, as referenced in clause 77 of the Local Government (Manufactured Home Estates, Caravan Parks, Camping Grounds, and Moveable Dwellings) Regulation 2021.

Tiny Homes, in some cases, may be approved as a "Moveable Dwelling" in certain zones such as RU5 Village and E4 General Industrial under the relevant Local Environmental Plan, subject to Council consent.

Consent maybe granted for moveable dwellings provided the development complies with the relevant planning controls.

The STRA planning framework does not apply to moveable dwellings such as caravans or tiny homes on private property and are not required to register for STRA.

Please note these are subject to the provisions of the Local Government (Manufactured Home Estates, Caravan Parks, Camping Grounds and Moveable Dwellings) Regulation which allows for 2 caravans or tents if they are not occupied for more than 2 consecutive days, and more than 60 days in a 12 month period.

A tiny home that does not have a development approval but is in place under the exemptions of clause 77 of the Local Government (Manufactured Home Estates, Caravan Parks, Camping Grounds, and Moveable Dwellings) Regulation 2021 cannot be let out for long term rental accommodation, only a household member can stay in the tiny home on a long term basis.

A tiny home that has a development approval for a Moveable Dwelling may be let out as long term rental accommodation.

You will need approval from Council to carry out plumbing works for water supply or wastewater disposal (fixed water and sewer connection points) under Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993. Council does not support hard connection of compact houses/ movable dwelling on trailers or caravans to Council water and sewer system for Tiny Homes without a development approval.