Free Irish Planning Tools
Five free tools built on the official national planning datasets. No sign-up, no account, no email required. Start with the exemption checker: if your project is exempt, everything else is moot.
The tools
Which tool answers which question
Each tool is built on a named public dataset and cites its source, so you can check the answer yourself:
| Question | Tool | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Is my project exempt? | Do I Need Planning Permission?Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended in July 2026 | Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended in July 2026 |
| What can be built here? | What Is My Land Zoned?MyPlan.ie national zoning dataset | MyPlan.ie national zoning dataset |
| Is this land taxable? | RZLT Map CheckerLocal authority RZLT final and draft maps | Local authority RZLT final and draft maps |
| What will it cost? | Planning Fee CalculatorStatutory fees, Planning and Development Regulations 2001 | Statutory fees, Planning and Development Regulations 2001 |
| Is my application ready? | Pre-Submission ChecklistArticle 22 and 23 validity requirements | Article 22 and 23 validity requirements |
The order most people need them in
- 1
Check if you need permission
Run the exemption checker. Extensions up to 45 sq m, garden structures up to 30 sq m and rooftop solar are commonly exempt, subject to conditions.
- 2
Check what the site allows
Look up the zoning, and if the land is undeveloped and zoned for housing, check whether it is on the RZLT map.
- 3
Work out the cost
The statutory fee is €65 for a house and €34 for an extension, but professional fees and development contributions are the real budget.
- 4
Get the application right
Work through the checklist before you lodge. Applications are frequently returned as invalid over notices, scales and copies.
Frequently asked questions
Are these planning tools free?
Yes. Every tool here is free and needs no sign-up or account. They are built on the official public datasets: the Planning and Development Regulations for the exemption rules, MyPlan.ie for zoning, the local authority RZLT maps, and the national planning applications database.
Which tool should I start with?
Start with the exemption checker. Many small projects, including rear extensions up to 45 square metres, garden structures up to 30 square metres and rooftop solar, need no planning permission at all, so checking first can save months and thousands of euro. If you do need permission, the fee calculator and pre-submission checklist come next.
Is the exemption checker legal advice?
No. The tools give general guidance based on the published regulations and cite the exact class or article so you can verify the answer. Every exemption carries conditions, and none apply to protected structures or Architectural Conservation Areas. For a binding ruling, apply to your council for a Section 5 Declaration, which costs about €80 and takes 4 weeks.
Also on Permission.ie
Read the planning guides, search the register of applications by county, or see the rules for a specific project such as a garden shed, attic conversion or solar panels.
