Planning Permission in Donegal
Planning applications in Donegal are decided by Donegal County Council. This guide covers what it costs, how long it takes, and how to apply — we track 21,825 planning applications in Donegal so you can see what gets approved.
Looking for Donegal ePlanning? Search and track Donegal County Council applications on eplanning.ie, or browse the Donegal register here without the council's search form.
Donegal planning statistics 2026: Donegal County Council has received 1,985 planning applications so far in 2026, and 92% of the 1,169 decided to date were granted. Source: Irish planning statistics, compiled daily from the public register.
First: you may not need planning permission
Rear extensions under 45 sq m, most sheds and garages, and rooftop solar panels are usually exempted development — Donegal's local authority logged 23 exempted development notifications in 2018-2022. Two minutes with our free checker could save you months and thousands of euro.
Check if your project is exemptHow to apply for planning permission in Donegal
- 1
Check if you need permission at all
Many small projects - rear extensions under 45 sq m, sheds, rooftop solar - are exempted development and need no application. Check before you spend anything.
- 2
Request a pre-planning consultation
Donegal County Council offers free pre-planning meetings. They flag issues with your site or design before you commit to drawings.
- 3
Prepare drawings and documents
You will need site location maps, layout plans, elevations, and sections - almost always prepared by an architect, engineer, or architectural technician.
- 4
Publish notices
Place a notice in an approved local newspaper and erect a site notice. The application must be lodged within 2 weeks of the newspaper notice.
- 5
Submit and wait for a decision
Lodge the application with the fee. The council checks validity, the public has 5 weeks to comment, and a decision is due within 8 weeks.
Full details in our step-by-step application guide and pre-submission checklist.
Where to apply in Donegal
Donegal County Council
Recent planning applications in Donegal
latest lodged 9 Oct 2026The most recent applications received by Donegal County Council, from the public planning register. Seeing what your neighbours are applying for, and what gets granted, is the quickest way to judge your own chances.
- 9 Oct 20262661863
CONSTRUCTION OF 39 NO. RESIDENTIAL UNITS TO THE SOUTHEAST OF THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED PLANNING REF. NO. 23/52008. THE DEVELOPMENT WILL CONSIST OF (1) 39 NO. RESIDENTIAL UNITS CONSISTING OF (A) 10 NO. SEMI-DETACHED HOUSES (3-BEDROOM UNITS), (B) 24 NO. APARTMENTS (2-BEDROOM UNITS) AND (C) 5 NO. TERRACED HOUSES (2-BEDROOM UNITS), (2) CONSTRUCTION OF PROPOSED ACCESS ROAD, PUBLIC FOOTPATHS, PUBLIC LIGHTING AND CAR PARKING FACILITIES WITH ACCESS ROAD TO BE VIA THE APPROVED SITE ENTRANCE ACCESSED FROM THE EXISTING R231 PUBLIC ROAD (AS APPROVED UNDER PLANNING REF. NO. 23/52008), (3) CONSTRUCTION OF A PUBLIC FOOTPATH AND CYCLE LANE THAT SHALL CONNECT BACHELOR’S WALK TO THE R231 TRAVERSING THROUGH THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING ALL NECESSARY PUBLIC LIGHTING, (4) PROVISION OF PUBLIC OPEN SPACE AMENITIES THROUGHOUT THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, (5) CONNECTION OF ALL SITE SERVICES INCLUDING FOUL, STORM AND WATERMAIN TO ADJOINING PUBLIC SERVICES VIA PREVIOUSLY APPROVED DEVELOPMENT (PLANNING REF. NO. 23/52008 REFERS) AND (6) ALL ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS
COOLCHOLLY , BALLYSHANNON , DONEGAL PO
- 9 Oct 20262661865
ERECTION OF A DWELLING HOUSE WITH WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM AND PERCOLATION AREA (OUTLINE PLANNING REF. NO. 25/50078 REFERS) AND PERMISSION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A DOMESTIC GARAGE WITH ALL ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS
MOYLE HILL , MILFORD , LETTERKENNY PO
- 9 Oct 20262661862
ERECTION OF A DWELLING HOUSE AND INSTALLATION OF SEPTIC TANK WITH SECONDARY AND TERTIARY TREATMENT AREA
BEHY , BALLYSHANNON , DONEGAL PO
- 9 Oct 20262661864
(1) RETENTION OF SITE CLEARANCE WORKS AND (2) CONSTRUCTION OF A DWELLING HOUSE WITH ASSOCIATED SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM, AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS
AGHRAGH , TEELIN , CARRICK DONEGAL PO
- 8 Oct 20262661860
CONSTRUCTION OF EXTENSIONS TO THE SIDE AND REAR OF EXISTING DWELLING HOUSE WITH WORKS TO INCLUDE MINOR ELEVATIONAL AMENDMENTS AND ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS
MIDCUT , DRUMKEEN , LIFFORD PO
- 8 Oct 20262661859
DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DWELLING HOUSE CONSTRUCTED WITH DEFECTIVE CONCRETE BLOCKWORK AND CONSTRUCTION OF A REPLACEMENT DWELLING HOUSE AND DETACHED STORAGE SHED / GYM WITH ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS
SOCKAR , LETTERKENNY , CO. DONEGAL
- 8 Oct 20262661854
CHANGE OF HOUSE TYPE TO THAT PREVIOUSLY GRANTED UNDER PLANNING REF. NO. 24/62178 AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS
CLEENAGH , BUNCRANA , LIFFORD PO
- 8 Oct 20262661857
CHANGE OF USE FROM DWELLING HOUSE TO SHORT TERM HOLIDAY LET
DRUMABODEN , RAMELTON , LETTERKENNY PO
Browse all 21,825 planning applications in Donegal, including this week's lodgements, decisions and appeals.
Planning permission fees in Donegal
Application fees are set nationally, so Donegal charges the same as every other county:
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| New house | €65 |
| Domestic extension or garage | €34 |
| Outline permission | 75% of the full fee |
| Retention permission | 3× the standard fee (€195 for a house) |
| Appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála | €220 |
Professional fees for drawings and managing the application are the real cost — see the fees guide or estimate yours with the fee calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does planning permission cost in Donegal?
The statutory application fee is the same across Ireland: 65 euro for a new house and 34 euro for a domestic extension or garage. Retention permission costs three times the standard fee. On top of that, most applicants pay a professional (architect, engineer, or planning consultant) for drawings and the application itself - typically 1,500 to 5,000 euro depending on the project.
How long does planning permission take in Donegal?
Donegal County Council must decide within 8 weeks of receiving a valid application. There is a 5-week period for public observations, and a 4-week appeal window after the decision. A request for further information restarts the clock, so 3 to 6 months end to end is common.
Do I need planning permission for an extension in Donegal?
Not always. Rear extensions up to 45 square metres are generally exempt from planning permission, subject to conditions on height, remaining garden space, and previous extensions. The same national exemption rules apply in Donegal as everywhere in Ireland.
How long does planning permission last in Donegal?
A grant of planning permission normally lasts 5 years from the date of the decision. If you have not substantially completed the work in that time you must apply again or seek an extension of duration.
Where do I submit a planning application in Donegal?
Applications go to Donegal County Council, online through eplanning.ie or on paper at the council offices. You must also publish a newspaper notice and erect a site notice before applying.
Related guides
Planning permission in neighbouring counties
The fees, timelines and exemptions are set nationally, so the process in Donegal is the same as next door. What changes is the council, its development plan, and how often it grants.
Get help with your Donegal application
A local architect or planning consultant who knows Donegal County Council can prepare drawings, handle notices, and manage the application for you.
Need help with your application?
Tell us about your project and we'll connect you with an architect or planning consultant in your county. Free, no obligation.
