Planning Application Checklist Ireland
A valid Irish planning application needs the completed form, a site location map at 1:1000 or 1:2500 with the site outlined in red, a site layout plan at 1:500, floor plans and elevations at 1:200, a copy of the site notice, the full newspaper page, and the correct fee. Most councils require 6 copies, or 1 if you apply online.
A large share of Irish planning applications are declared invalid on technicalities and returned, which means republishing the notices and starting again. Work through this checklist before you lodge. Your progress saves automatically in your browser.
Before you design anything
Public notices (the #1 cause of invalidation)
The application pack
After you lodge
Need the notices? The notice generator produces a print-ready site notice and newspaper notice worded to the regulations. Fees are covered in the fees guide and fee calculator.
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.
How to lodge a valid planning application
- 1
Confirm you actually need permission
Check whether the project is exempted development before spending anything on drawings. If it is borderline, a Section 5 Declaration costs about €80 and gives a binding answer in 4 weeks.
- 2
Get the drawings prepared
You need a site location map at 1:1000 (urban) or 1:2500 (rural) with the site outlined in red, a site layout plan at a minimum scale of 1:500, and floor plans, elevations and sections at a minimum of 1:200.
- 3
Publish the notices
Publish a newspaper notice in a paper on the council's approved list and erect a site notice at the entrance. Both must be dated no more than 2 weeks before the application is lodged.
- 4
Assemble and lodge the application
Send the completed form, the maps and drawings, a copy of the site notice, the full newspaper page, and the correct fee. Most authorities require 6 copies of everything, or 1 if you apply online.
- 5
Watch for validation and the decision
The council checks validity first: an invalid application is returned and the notices must be redone. Then a 5-week public consultation runs, with a decision due within 8 weeks of receipt.
Required drawings and scales
Article 23 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 sets the minimum scales. Drawings below these scales are a common reason for invalidation:
| Document | Scale | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Site location map | 1:1000 / 1:2500 | Ordnance Survey based. 1:1000 urban, 1:2500 rural. Site outlined in red, other land in your control in blue |
| Site layout plan | 1:500 minimum | Boundaries, existing and proposed structures, distances, levels, and the wastewater treatment or percolation area |
| Floor plans, elevations, sections | 1:200 minimum | 1:100 is commonly used for houses. Show existing and proposed where you are altering a building |
Why applications get returned as invalid
- ⚠The newspaper is not on the planning authority's approved list.
- ⚠The application was lodged more than 2 weeks after the notices, counting the day of publication as day one.
- ⚠The description on the site notice, the newspaper notice and the application form do not match.
- ⚠The full newspaper page showing the title and date was not enclosed.
- ⚠Drawings are below the minimum scale, or the site is not outlined in red on the location map.
- ⚠The wrong fee, or too few copies.
- ⚠The site notice was not erected, or is not readable from the public road.
An invalid application is returned with the fee. You cannot fix it and resubmit the same paperwork: the notices are stale, so you must publish a fresh newspaper notice and erect a fresh site notice before lodging again.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need for a planning application in Ireland?
A completed application form, a site location map at 1:1000 (urban) or 1:2500 (rural) with the site outlined in red, a site layout plan at a minimum of 1:500, floor plans, elevations and sections at a minimum of 1:200, a copy of the site notice, the full newspaper page showing the title and date of publication, and the correct fee. Most planning authorities require 6 copies of everything, or 1 copy if you apply online.
Why was my planning application returned as invalid?
Almost always a notice or paperwork error rather than anything about the development itself. The most common causes are: publishing in a newspaper that is not on the council's approved list, lodging more than 2 weeks after the notices, a description on the notice that does not match the application form, missing the full newspaper page, drawings at the wrong scale, the wrong fee, or too few copies. An invalid application is returned with the fee and you must publish fresh notices and start again.
How many copies of a planning application are needed in Ireland?
6 copies of the plans and drawings for a paper application, or 1 copy if the application is submitted through the council's online portal. Check your own authority's requirements, as a few differ.
What scale do planning drawings have to be in Ireland?
Article 23 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 sets the minimums: the site or layout plan must be at least 1:500, and all other plans and drawings at least 1:200. The site location map is normally 1:1000 in urban areas and 1:2500 in rural areas, with the site outlined in red.
How long does it take to get planning permission in Ireland?
A decision is due within 8 weeks of the authority receiving a valid application, which includes a 5-week public consultation period. A request for further information stops the clock and you have 6 months to respond, so 3 to 6 months end to end is common. After the decision there is a 4-week appeal window before the permission is final.
Next steps
Generate your site and newspaper notices, work out the cost with the fee calculator, and read the full application guide. Not certain you need permission? Check if your project is exempt first.
