Moveable dwellings

The use of moveable dwellings in places other than caravan parks or campgrounds is governed by NSW State Government legislation. 

A moveable dwelling is any tent, or caravan or other van or portable device (whether on wheels or not), used for human habitation - or a manufactured home such as what is commonly known as a 'tiny home'. Read more about tiny homes below.

Moveable dwellings such as caravans and tiny homes are subject to local and state planning laws that should be thoroughly reviewed before making any purchasing decisions.

Do I need approval for a mobile dwelling?

In most cases you will need approval to have a moveable dwelling on private land, for example: 

• Registerable moveable dwellings, such as caravans, are not permitted on vacant blocks of land on a permanent basis, unless with Development Application (DA) approval. 
• Moveable dwellings, such as tiny homes, are not permitted on sites outside of caravan parks on a permanent basis, unless with DA approval. 
• Tents, caravans and other moveable dwellings may be approved for temporary use for up to 12 months only while an approved dwelling is being built.

In some instances, caravans or other moveable dwellings do not need a DA. However, the shower, basin, toilet and kitchen sink installed in the moveable dwelling must have an in-built wastewater collection tank, and be connected to town sewerage, or connected to an approved on-site sewage management system. Portable facilities (port-a-loo) will be considered in some circumstances.

If an onsite sewage management system is required, a Development Application is likely to be required too. When connections to Council sewerage and water services are needed, approvals for services connections are also required.

Moveable dwellings while building a house

If you're building a house, you can apply to live in a moveable dwelling, tent, caravan, or manufactured home onsite, while the house is being built. 

Approval can be granted for up to 12 months with an approved DA.

Approval will only be granted on the following basis:

1. The property is located in a rural or rural residential location. Living on site in an urban area is generally not encouraged but will be considered on its merits.
2. The period of occupation is 12 months or less.
3. A shower, basin, toilet and kitchen sink installed in the moveable dwelling with an in-built wastewater collection tank, or connected to town sewerage, or connected to an approved on-site sewage management system. Portable facilities (port-a-loo) will be considered in some circumstances. If an onsite sewage management system is required, a DA is likely to be required for the system. When connections to Council sewerage and water services are needed, approvals for services connections are also required.
4. Town water is connected, or an adequate tank water supply is available.
5. A working smoke alarm/s is installed in the moveable dwelling.

Please note: for the safety of potential occupants, emergency services personnel and others, Council will not support a moveable dwelling on-site during the construction process if site specific health and safety risks are considered to be too high.

How to apply

Complete the application for approval to install a manufactured home, moveable dwelling or associated structure on private land (note, fees apply).

Complete an online application

Tiny homes on private land

A tiny house can be either be a small dwelling house built on the lot; or a small dwelling house built on a trailer (similar to a caravan/trailer). Under NSW planning legislation they are defined as dwellings, regardless of their size.

When a tiny house is built on a trailer it must have the capability of being road registered under the Road Transport Act 2013.

Tiny homes are considered either ‘fixed’ or ‘moveable’.

Fixed tiny homes

Fixed tiny homes can be built in various situations. They may be used as a granny flat (or secondary dwellings) where an existing primary house exists on a site.

Council requires a DA and potentially other related applications (for services connections) to assess and approve any proposal for a permanent, fixed dwelling or manufactured home.

Where a tiny home is proposed on a lot with an existing dwelling house, the proposed development is assessed as a Secondary Dwelling.

Refer to Council’s Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) to determine permissibility of a secondary dwelling in the specific zone to which the proposed development applies.

Moveable tiny homes

Moveable tiny homes are considered moveable dwellings. DAs may not be required in particular circumstances.

Read the Moveable dwellings section above.