Apply for Planning Permission

Competent Authority

Before commencing any development work, you need to apply for planning permission from your Local County Council or City Council. This includes:

• Constructing a new building or other structure, e.g. house, factory, monument, playground, etc.
• Changing an existing building or property, e.g. an extension, a new floor, etc.
• Changing the way in which a property is used, e.g. to change a house into a workshop.

Types of planning permission

There are 2 types of planning permission:

• Permission
• Outline permission

The most common type of planning permission is permission, which is sometimes called full permission. This is where the local authority agrees to your work. Permission is normally subject to conditions, some of which may require changes to your proposals. Planning permission normally lasts for 5 years.

Outline permission is where you apply to see if the local authority agrees in principle with you building a house or large extension. When applying for outline permission, you only need certain plans and details about your proposal. You need to produce enough for the planning authority to make a decision about the siting, layout or other proposals for development. Generally, outline permission last for 3 years. If you get outline permission, you will then have to submit detailed drawings and get consequent permission before you start building work.

You must not start building before you get planning permission.

How To Apply For Planning Permission

You apply for planning permission by filling in a planning application form and submitting it together with required documents to your local authority.

Contact your local authority for advice about how to apply, whether your proposals are likely to comply with the development plan, what other documents you will need, what the fee will be and any other requirements. Information, application form and a checklist are available from your local authority.

Procedures Once An Application Is Submitted

Anyone can make a written submission or observation objecting to or supporting your planning application. Generally, the local planning authority must make a decision on a planning application within 8 weeks of receiving the application, but if the local authority needs more information, or the decision is appealed, it may take much longer. The decision will be notified in writing to you and anyone who commented on your application.

If my application is accepted

If the local authority decides to give you planning permission, you will get a notice of intention to grant planning permission. If no one appeals the decision to An Bord Pleanála within 4 weeks of the date of this decision, you will be granted planning permission from the local authority.

If my application is refused

If the local authority refuses your application, it will give you the reasons for this. You have 4 weeks from the date of this decision to make an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.