Planning permission in South Dublin
South Dublin County Council decides planning applications in South Dublin. Search every South Dublin planning application, see recent decisions and notices, and check what to expect before you apply. This page brings South Dublin County Council planning data together in one place: applications, decisions, approval rates and local rules.
Withdrawn and invalid applications are left out.
Decided in the last 5 years. Bars show applications received each year.
Half of decisions come sooner when no extra information is asked for. The legal limit is 8 weeks.
Of decided applications, the council asked for more before deciding.
Of decided applications, appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Recent South Dublin planning decisions
The latest granted and refused applications decided by South Dublin County Council. Wording is trimmed and never includes applicant names.
South Dublin planning applications per year
Planning applications received each year, with the share that were granted. The coloured part of each bar is the share granted. The outlined bar is the year so far.
| Year | Received | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,035 | 88% |
| 2022 | 961 | 88% |
| 2023 | 939 | 91% |
| 2024 | 927 | 91% |
| 2025 | 1,048 | 93% |
| 2026 (so far) | 768 | 91% |
South Dublin planning approval rates by project type
How often each kind of project was granted in South Dublin over the last 5 years, compared with the whole of Ireland.
Projects are grouped automatically from each application's description, so a few fit more than one type. The marker on each bar is the rate for Ireland. Types with fewer than 30 decisions are left out.
How South Dublin compares with other councils
South Dublin ranked against all 31 planning authorities, using the last 5 years of decisions. Each strip is one council, and the highlighted one is South Dublin.
Best on the left, rank 1 first. Councils with fewer than 100 decisions are left out. Some councils publish data in different ways, so small gaps are not meaningful.
How long does planning permission in South Dublin take?
A planning application in South Dublin, week by week, using real South Dublin decisions.
Lodging your South Dublin planning application
The application goes in with your plans, fee and notices. The site notice goes up and the clock starts.
Neighbours can comment on your application
Anyone can make a submission in the first five weeks. Most applications draw none, but a strong objection can slow things down.
Further information requests
25 in 100 decided South Dublin applications got a request for further information. If yours does, the clock pauses until you reply.
The South Dublin planning decision
Half of South Dublin decisions without a request for more information come by week 8. With a request for more information, the middle case takes about 20 weeks. 91 in 100 decided applications are granted.
Appealing a South Dublin planning decision
You or anyone who commented has four weeks to appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála. 7.0 in 100 decided South Dublin applications went to appeal.
Starting work after permission is granted
Permission lasts five years. For permissions granted in South Dublin over the last 5 years, 43 in 100 have a commencement notice on record.
Check your South Dublin site before you apply
The pre-planning report covers zoning, protected structures, ground conditions and every application near your address, with the decisions.
South Dublin County Council planning department contacts
Who to call or write to about a planning application in South Dublin, and when they are available.
Free pre-planning meeting
South Dublin County Council offers pre-planning consultations under Section 247 of the Planning and Development Act. Meet a planner before you apply, to hear what is likely to be accepted.
Details checked on 29 Oct 2026 from the council's own website. Spotted a change? Tell us.
Local planning restrictions in South Dublin
Nature areas, historic buildings and monuments that can limit or shape a project in South Dublin. The figures come from national public datasets.
- Nature areas: check
- Historic buildings: surveyed
- Monuments: recorded
- Flood risk: check floodinfo.ie
Sites inside South Dublin, including proposed ones. Largest: Wicklow Mountains, Wicklow Mountains.
Buildings in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. A survey is not the same as legal protection.
Sites recorded by the National Monuments Service, from ringforts to old quarries.
What this can mean for your project
Projects that could affect a Special Area of Conservation or Special Protection Area may need an appropriate assessment. This can apply even if you are outside the site.
If your home is on the Record of Protected Structures, or in an architectural conservation area, many works that are normally exempt need permission. You can ask the council for a declaration under section 57.
Applications close to a recorded monument can be referred to the National Monuments Service, which can add time and conditions.
The council may ask for a flood risk assessment in flood-prone areas. Check the official flood maps on floodinfo.ie.
South Dublin County Council policies to know
The design of an extension must have regard to the pattern of development in the immediate area and to the council's House Extension Guide, or any later standards. The council publishes a House Extension Design Guide on its website, which covers avoiding overlooking, overshadowing and overbearing effects on neighbours.
Source: Chapter 12, section 12.6.8 Residential Consolidation, ExtensionsA family flat for an immediate family member should not generally exceed 50% of the floor area of the existing house. It must be reached through the front door of the main house, and any outside doors are limited to the side or rear. The council may attach conditions that it cannot be sold or leased separately and must return to a single home when no longer needed.
Source: Chapter 12, section 12.6.8, Family FlatsRural housing applies to land zoned RU, HA-DM, HA-LV and HA-DV. Each case is judged individually. You must show a genuine need to live near your work (where the work relates to the rural community), or close family ties with the rural community. You must not have already been granted permission for a new rural dwelling, and you must send evidence, a map of family-owned land and a reason for the site you chose.
Source: Chapter 12, section 12.6.9 Rural Housing; policy in Chapter 6, section 6.9From the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028. See all the South Dublin development plan rules, by topic.
Is your site affected?
These figures cover the whole of South Dublin. Whether a restriction applies depends on exactly where your site is. The pre-planning report checks your address.
Sources: National Parks and Wildlife Service, National Inventory of Architectural Heritage and National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Policy summaries checked 29 Oct 2026. Policy summaries are plain-English guides written from council plans. They may be incomplete or out of date, and where we are not sure we say so. They are not legal advice, so please double-check anything important with the council.
Map of recent South Dublin planning decisions
Click a dot to see the decision and open the full application.
Map of recent South Dublin decisions
Planning applications decided in the last 12 months. Orange is granted, grey is refused.
Towns and areas in South Dublin
Places with the most applications in the last 5 years.
Planning a project in South Dublin?
Check whether you need permission before you spend anything.
Common questions about South Dublin planning
How do I apply for planning permission in South Dublin?
You apply to South Dublin County Council. You need the completed form, a site notice, a newspaper notice, your plans and the fee. The council must decide within eight weeks, unless it asks for more information.
Do I need planning permission in South Dublin?
Not always. Many small projects are exempt under SI 600/2001, for example some single-storey rear extensions up to 40 square metres, subject to conditions. Our free checker screens your project in a minute.
How long does a South Dublin planning decision take?
Half of decisions without a request for more information come by week 8. If the council asks for more information, the clock stops until you reply, so it takes longer.
Can I book a pre-planning meeting with South Dublin County Council?
Yes. South Dublin County Council offers free pre-planning consultations under Section 247 of the Planning and Development Act. Contact the planning department to book one before you lodge.
Applications received up to 21 Oct 2026. Sources: National Planning Application Database (DHLGH and local authorities), An Coimisiún Pleanála, National Building Control Office. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Sources and methodology.