Off-Grid Stealth Cabin Plans : 21 Steps

Have you dreamed of having your own little off-grid cabin, retreat or maybe a guest house?

Well now you can and this cabin design is perfect for places that have no power, septic and water connections.

Stealth Cabin Plans
These plans are for an 8x8 free standing shed/dry cabin that could be used as a cabin, office, workshop, guest bedroom or other use where allowed by codes. Always check with your county before building any structure. You agree to be responsible for any use of these plans. If you do not agree- do not use these plans. No warranty is expressed or implied in these plans.

The Stealth cabin is designed to be small and resemble an ordinary storage shed like those you can find in most backyards around the country. It can be decorated to look like a cabin/house or left plain and simple to not draw attention. The cabin is designed to be self-contained with a solar power system, RV style water system, and chemical toilet and propane appliances. It can be built off grid and would be suitable for a recreation cabin, bug-out survival retreat, or homeless housing or disaster relief situation where allowed by codes.

The Stealth cabin may be modified to fit your needs and the design includes a kitchen area with propane appliances, desk and closet with storage cabinets. Pull out 2 person couch bed, shower with self-contained chemical toilet, upstairs loft sleeping space for two adults or storage, 500 watt solar power system, RV water system and propane system. Plans for a small front porch are included.

The Stealth cabin can be built entirely with hand tools or common power tools. You will need a saw, hammer, drill or screw driver, bubble level, square, and a ladder. Always wear goggles and hearing protection and follow the tool manufacturer’s safety recommendations. It is recommended you have help to install roof rafters and roofing.

Step 1: Framing Material List

Stealth cabin framing materials list:

Floor:

(9) 2x6x8 floor joists

(2) 4x8x7/16 OSB wafer board subflooring

Walls:

(45) 2x4x8 studs

Loft: (9) 2x4x8 studs

(2) 4x8x7/16 OSB wafer board subflooring

Roof: (18) 2x4x8 studs

* Exterior finishing materials can be new or recycled

Step 2: Stealth Cabin Foundation

Stealth Cabin Foundation

The stealth cabin can be built on pressure treated 4x4 skids and placed right on the ground or raised up on cement deck blocks. The ground must be solid and packed and not subject to flooding. Clear away any debris and vegetation and level the ground where the cabin will be located.

Step 3: Building the Floor

Building the floor

2x6 lumber is recommended for the floor. Floor joists are on 16 inch centers. Square the corners before installing floor sheathing.

Subflooring is 7/16 OSB wafer board or any good wood material. To prevent squeaking use construction adhesive between the subfloor and floor joists. Use screws on 1 foot spacing.

Step 4: Building the Front Wall

Building the front wall

All wall lumber is 2x4x8 studs on 16 inch center.

Double 2x4 or single 4x4 header over the door

Step 5: Building the Rear Wall

Building the rear wall

Double 2x4 or single 4x4 header over the door

Step 6: Building the Right Side Wall

Building the right side wall

Double 2x4 or single 4x4 header over the windows

Step 7: Building the Left Side Wall

Building the left side wall

Double 2x4 or single 4x4 header over the window

Step 8: Building the Interior Walls

Building the interior walls

The interior walls are for a bathroom which is optional.

Once you have the floor and walls constructed it is recommended you sheath the walls with 7/16 OSB or plywood before going on to the next step. Square all walls as you apply sheathing.

Step 9: Building the Loft Floor

Building the loft floor

The loft floor is at 7 feet from the flooring. Connect the loft floor to the wall studs and corners and to the bathroom wall supports with lag screws.

Step 10: Loft Floor Complete

Loft and main floor complete

Sheath the loft floor with 7/16 OSB subfloor or suitable subfloor materials.

Your cabin should now look like this picture.

Step 11: Building the Roof Rafters

Building the roof rafters

The rafters are 2x4 lumber and connected with a 7/16 OSB wafer board gusset. It is recommended you cut one rafter as a pattern and check the fit to the cabin before cutting the other rafters. Gussets are attached to rafters with construction adhesive and screws.

Step 12: Attaching the Rafters

Attaching the rafters

The rafters are attached to the wall plates on 16 in centers with nails and toenailed in place. NOTICE: the gussets are turned inwards on the rafters over the wall ends so they do no interfere with exterior sheathing. You can use a temporary brace board to stabilize the rafters until the roof sheathing is installed.

Step 13: Loft Window Framing

Loft window framing

The loft window is framed with 2x4 lumber doubled studs

Step 14: Completed Framing

Completed Framing

Your Stealth cabin should now look like this and is ready for sheathing and roof material. R13 insulation is recommended for the walls and roof and R19 in the floor.

Exterior finishing materials are up to you but T1-11 and Hard board siding works well and takes paint. Interior can be finished with drywall or pine tongue and groove or other materials.

Step 15: Building the Front Porch

Building the front porch

The porch is optional but would be a great place to mount solar panels and it shades the front of the cabin from summer sun. Put a bench out there to hide your propane tanks and have a BBQ.

Porch floor framing is 2x6 lumber on 16 inch center

Porch flooring is any suitable exterior grade decking material.

Porch supports are 4x4 pressure treated lumber. Porch rails are 2x4 pressure treated lumber

Porch roof is 2x4 or 2x6 lumber on 24 inch centers

Side of porch roof showing bird’s mouth cut.

Step 16: Stealth Cabin Finishing Ideas

Stealth cabin finishing ideas

You can use any exterior and interior finishing materials you want. T1-11 siding or hardboard siding works well and take paint well. Drywall or interior paneling work can be used to finish the interior walls after insulating.

Step 17: Floor Plan Ideas

Floor plan ideas

Couch pulls out to a 4x7 bed and sleeps two adults

Nice desk and eating area. Closet and storage space.

Step 18: Loft Bedroom

Loft Bedroom

There is enough room for two singles or a full size bed in the loft. Loft is 7’5” x 7’5”. Storage under the bed and room for a small dresser. LED TV on the wall.

Loft hatch can be opened and closed for privacy and safety.

Step 19: Off-Grid Systems

Off grid Systems

The Stealth cabin is designed for off grid living and these are the systems recommended.

Two 250 watt solar panels, 4 deep cycle batts and a 40 amp charge controller

RV Water tank and Shurflo DC pump hidden under the couch bed.

Propane for furnace and cooking. Hidden tanks in a nice porch seat

Sawdust composting toilet or RV porta potty

Step 20: Summary

This is a fairly simple to build and inexpensive project that would be great as a recreation cabin, guest house, office or bug-out shelter where you do not want a big structure that would be noticed.

I have been off-grid for over 15 years in a 14x14 cabin of my own design and having no house payments and no utility bills has allowed me the freedom to pursue my interests of writing and videography.

This is my own off-grid cabin and I have many more cabin designs on my website of different sizes and complete downloadable plans for anyone interested.

I hope you enjoyed these plans and please come by my website for much more off-grid information.

http://www.simplesolarhomesteading.com

I also have a youtube channel with over 100 videos of my cabin and systems for ideas:

http://www.youtube.com/solarcabin

These plans and pictures are all copyrighted with the US Library of Congress.