What is a cabana?

A cabana is a shelter associated with a swimming pool or outdoor recreation. It can provide a changing area or storage for pool equipment; its form and local classification vary.

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By InstaBids editorial team with AI research agents. Updated 31 October 2026

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What Do Cabanas Look Like?

Belle Meade, Tennessee, describes a cabana as generally three-sided, with the opening toward a pool or outdoor space. The word generally matters: this is a local description, not a universal wall count. “A cabana is generally a three-sided structure with an open side facing an outdoor space or swimming pool.” Source: City of Belle Meade, Tennessee, read 2026-10-31.

How does Brookfield define a cabana?

In Brookfield, Wisconsin, a cabana serves swimming-pool storage or changing needs. That local definition describes its function rather than prescribing one appearance for every cabana. “Cabana means a building used for storage of swimming pool equipment or accessories and/or as a changing area for swimming purposes.” Source: City of Brookfield, Wisconsin, read 2026-10-31.

What materials are used in cabana construction?

Fabric is one documented possibility. Yorba Linda’s 2019 ordinance document includes cabanas within its canopy definition and names cloth, vinyl, flexible plastic and canvas; it does not provide a complete national material specification. “Included within the meaning of this term are canopy, tent, lean-to, cabana or any structure with a roof cover or walls made of cloth, vinyl, flexible plastic, canvas or other similar material.” Source: City of Yorba Linda, California, read 2026-10-31.

Can You Sleep in a Cabana?

Calling a structure a cabana does not establish that it is living space. North Castle, New York, defines its cabanas as recreational accessory structures not intended for human habitation; that is a local definition. “An accessory building or structure that is used for a swimming pool or some similar recreational use and not intended for human habitation and that does not exceed 200 square feet in area and is not more than 15 feet in height.” Source: Town of North Castle, New York, read 2026-10-31.

How large can I build my cabana?

There is no nationwide size established by these sources. Brookfield, Wisconsin, gives its cabanas a 200-square-foot size limit and a 15-foot height limit in its published fact sheet. “A cabana shall not exceed 200 square feet in size or 15' in height.” Source: City of Brookfield, Wisconsin, read 2026-10-31.

Sources

Cabanas fact sheet — City of Brookfield, Wisconsin; published January 2024; read 2026-10-31.
Zoning ordinance document — City of Belle Meade, Tennessee; published January 2024 meeting document; read 2026-10-31.
Ordinance No. 2019-1056, Exhibit A, canopy definition — City of Yorba Linda, California; published 2019; read 2026-10-31.
Zoning definitions: cabana — Town of North Castle, New York; read 2026-10-31.