Shed and outbuilding planning permission in Ireland

Do you need planning permission for a shed?

Not if the structure meets Class 3 in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. The class covers a tent, awning, shade, greenhouse, garage, store, shed or similar structure within the curtilage of a house. S.I. 338 of 2026 changed it from 27 July 2026.

The Regulations say a flat or apartment is not a “house” for this class. If you live in an apartment, ask the council.

When a shed is exempt

All of these conditions must be met.

Size and position

• It cannot be constructed, erected or placed forward of the front wall of the house.
• All such structures in the garden, together with any already there, cannot exceed 30 square metres in total.
• At least 25 square metres of private open space must remain at the rear or side of the house.

Height and finish

• The height cannot exceed 4 metres with a tiled or slated pitched roof, or 3 metres in any other case.
• If the structure is to the side of the house, its external finishes must match the house. The roof covering must match too, where the roof is tiled or slated.

Use

• It cannot be used for human habitation.
• It cannot be used to keep pigs, poultry, pigeons, ponies or horses.
• It cannot be used for any purpose other than one incidental to the enjoyment of the house.

Storage of tools, bikes, garden equipment and household items fits. Running a business from the building may not. Ask the council if you plan any business use.

Small bike and bin stores: Class 62

S.I. 341 of 2026 added Class 62 for a structure within the curtilage of a house for bicycle or bin storage, from 27 July 2026. The conditions are:

• A maximum area of 3.5 square metres.
• A height of no more than 1.4 metres.
• If placed to the front of the dwelling, a setback of 0.6 metres from the front wall.
• If placed to the front, it cannot reduce the open space proportion of the front garden by more than 50%.

When you need to apply

Apply for permission if any of these is true.

• The total of garden structures is over 30 square metres.
• The shed is forward of the front wall, other than a bike or bin store within Class 62.
• It is higher than 4 metres (pitched tiled or slated roof) or 3 metres (other roofs).
• It would leave less than 25 square metres of private garden at the rear or side.
• You will keep the animals listed above, live in it, or use it for something beyond the enjoyment of the house.
• A condition on an earlier planning permission rules it out. Article 9 removes the exemption if the work breaks a condition.
• It would block a public right of way, or harm a protected view or landscape in the development plan.

For a larger home-style building such as a granny flat, see the garden room guide.

Special cases

• Protected structures: under section 57 of the 2000 Act, works are exempt only if they do not materially affect the character of the structure.
• Architectural conservation areas: Article 9 removes the exemption for exterior works that would materially affect the character of the area.
• Natura 2000 and other nature sites: if the work needs an appropriate assessment, it is not exempt.
• Flood risk: Article 9 does not list flood risk as a reason to lose the exemption. Check the council’s flood maps if the garden floods.
• Previously built structures: older sheds and garages count towards the 30 square metre total.

What if the shed is already built?

If a shed is over the limits, you may be able to apply for retention permission. The fee is higher than for a new application. See the retention permission guide. Rules in force at the time of building may differ, so ask the council which version applies to older work.

Costs and fees

The national planning fee for works within or bounding the curtilage of an existing house is €34. Retention permission costs more. Use the planning fee calculator for the exact amount.

Checklist before you build

• Is the shed behind the front wall of the house?
• Do all garden structures, with the new one, total 30 square metres or less?
• Is it 3 metres or 4 metres high at most, depending on the roof?
• Will 25 square metres of private garden remain at the rear or side?
• If it is at the side, do the finishes match the house?
• Will it be used only for storage or hobbies incidental to the house?
• Is the house free of protected structure, conservation area or nature site rules?

Next steps

Contact the council for a pre-planning meeting if the case is borderline. These meetings come from section 247 of the 2000 Act. The advice does not grant permission.

If you need to apply, read how to apply. You can also see what neighbours applied for in planning applications. To convert an existing garage instead, see the garage conversion guide.

The law is changing

The Planning and Development Act 2024 is being brought into force in stages. The July 2026 changes to Class 3 and Class 62 were made under the 2000 Act. Check the Department of Housing’s website for which parts of the 2024 Act are in force.

Check before you build

The rules depend on the exact site and its planning history. A pre-planning report checks zoning, protected structures and nature sites at an address, so you can see the main limits early. Use the pre-planning report or the planning permission checker. Then confirm with your council.