Planning a garden room: the rules and the paperwork
The short answer
Most garden rooms in Ireland don't need planning permission. Since 27 July 2026 a garden room is exempt if it's up to 30 m², leaves at least 25 m² of garden, sits behind the front of the house, is no taller than 3 m (4 m with a tiled or slated pitched roof) and is used as part of your home. These guides cover the rules, the cases they don't cover, and the paperwork when you need it.
The rules
- Garden rooms over 30 m²Your options when you want something bigger, and how an application works.
- Can you sleep in a garden room?Why a garden room can't be a bedroom, and what can.
- Salons and businessesWhere working from home ends and a business needing permission begins.
- Mobile homes and log cabinsStoring one, living in one, and where pods fit.
- Building RegulationsWhich standards apply to a garden room, and the electrics that always do.
Paperwork
- Section 5 declarationsGetting your council to confirm a garden room is exempt.
- Built without permission? RetentionWhat to do if an existing room breaks the rules.
- Selling a house with a garden roomThe paperwork a buyer's solicitor will ask for.
- Planning checkerCheck your plans against every rule in two minutes.Free tool
Which guide do you need?
| Your situation | Read |
|---|---|
| A new room of up to 30 m² | The planning rules and the planning checker |
| You want something bigger | Garden rooms over 30 m² |
| Someone will sleep or live in it | Can you sleep in a garden room? and garden homes |
| Clients or customers will visit | Salons and businesses |
| It's already built and you're not sure it complies | Retention or a Section 5 declaration |
| You're selling the house | Selling a house with a garden room |
Common questions
Do I need planning permission for a garden room in Ireland?
Usually not. Since 27 July 2026 a garden room is exempt if it is up to 30 m², leaves at least 25 m² of garden, is behind the front of the house, is no taller than 3 m (4 m with a tiled or slated pitched roof) and is used as part of your home, not lived in or run as a business.
Can I live in a garden room?
No. Living or sleeping in the garden needs a Class 3A garden home of 32 to 45 m², built as a home and notified to your council, or full planning permission.
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