About the Planning Process & Application

Planning permission is required to build or demolish property or significantly alter the use of land or property. Anyone who wishes to develop land or property must apply to the City Council for planning permission.

Some works, however, do not need planning permission. These works are called exempted development. To learn more, visit the Exempted Developments Section.

A planning application form must be completed in order to apply for planning permission and applicants are advised to download the 'Guide to Lodging Planning Applications, Applicant's Checklist' before completing an application.

Planning applications for Dublin City may be submitted online via the Local Government National Online PLANNING PORTAL, by post or by using the drop box facility in our Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.

To make a valid planning application you must submit the following documents:

• Completed application form: planning permission application form
• Correct fee: Fees differ depending on the type of development proposed
• A copy of the public site notice: The site notice is should be placed on site for five weeks from the date of receipt of the planning application. You must replace the site notice if it becomes illegible or is removed, as failure to do so may invalidate your application. The site notice must be located where the site meets the public road and should be clearly visible to members of the public

• Site location map (six copies): This should be an Ordinance Survey map and scaled not less than 1:1000 (urban areas) and 1:2500 (rural areas). The site must be clearly outlined in red, additional ownership in blue and wayleaves in yellow
• Site layout plan (six copies): The scale should not be less than 1:500. The site should be marked in red showing all relevant features
• Copy of original newspaper notice from the list of approved newspapers: The application must be lodged with the Planning Department within two weeks of the newspapers publication date. All notices must contain: 

1. As a heading, the name of the planning authority Dublin City Council and shall include the name of the applicant
2. Nature of application i.e. permission type
3. Location, townland or postal address of the land or structure
4. A brief description of the development
5. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of Dublin City Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. 
6. Certificate from the Provisions of Part V Social and Affordable Housing: Residential developments of 1-9 units may require a social housing exemption certificate. Download  a 'Certificate of Exemption (Social and Affordable Housing)'. Some rural areas have specific conditions relating to local housing. You may also need to send in a 'Supplementary Application Form for Permission for a Dwelling in a Rural Area'.‌ Applicants should ensure they have applied for or obtained their exemption certificate before applying for planning permission

Planning decision process

The planning decision process usually takes eight weeks. Submissions or observations are accepted up to five weeks from the date of receipt of the planning application. After this, the planner will begin to assess the application and write his/her report where a recommendation is made.

The decision letter will be sent by registered post, within the statutory timeframe. You, or any third parties have the right to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála within four weeks. If permission is granted and if no appeal is made, the planning authority will issue a final grant of permission within six weeks of the decision.

If we ask for additional information on your application, you have up to six months from the date of the additional information request to send the response.

Planning appeal process

The planning system includes a comprehensive appeals process. Under this, all planning decisions made by planning authorities may be subject to independent review by An Bord Pleanála (the Board).

An Bord Pleanála has information guides available in print from their office at 64 Marlborough Street Dublin 1 and also on their website https://www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/make-an-appeal