Planning Permission by County & Council in Ireland

Ireland Planning advises on planning permission in all 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland and with every one of its 31 local planning authorities. Whether your site is in Dublin City, Fingal, Cork, Galway, Kerry or Donegal, we start by identifying the correct planning authority, the development plan that applies and the issues most likely to decide your application.

Our work is led by Patrick O’Reilly, a chartered planner and a Full Corporate Member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI). Choose your county or council below for local planning guidance, typical issues, towns covered and answers to common questions.

How planning authorities work in Ireland

Planning applications in Ireland are decided by the local authority for the area where the site is located. Most counties have one county council, but Dublin has four planning authorities, Cork and Galway each have a separate city and county council, and Limerick and Waterford each have a single combined city and county council. Each authority has its own development plan, local area plans, zoning and rural housing policies, so the same proposal can be assessed quite differently in two neighbouring areas.

Appeals against local authority decisions are decided by An Coimisiún Pleanála, which replaced An Bord Pleanála in 2025.

Leinster

• Carlow County Council: Carlow town, Tullow, Bagenalstown (Muine Bheag), Borris and surrounding areas
• Dublin City Council: Dublin city centre, Rathmines, Ranelagh, Drumcondra and surrounding areas
• Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council: Dún Laoghaire, Dalkey, Killiney, Blackrock and surrounding areas
• Fingal County Council: Swords, Malahide, Blanchardstown, Balbriggan and surrounding areas
• South Dublin County Council: Tallaght, Lucan, Clondalkin, Rathfarnham and surrounding areas
• Kildare County Council: Naas, Newbridge, Celbridge, Maynooth and surrounding areas
• Kilkenny County Council: Kilkenny City, Thomastown, Callan, Castlecomer and surrounding areas
• Laois County Council: Portlaoise, Portarlington, Mountmellick, Abbeyleix and surrounding areas
• Longford County Council: Longford town, Granard, Edgeworthstown, Ballymahon and surrounding areas
• Louth County Council: Drogheda, Dundalk, Ardee, Dunleer and surrounding areas
• Meath County Council: Navan, Ashbourne, Trim, Kells and surrounding areas
• Offaly County Council: Tullamore, Birr, Edenderry, Clara and surrounding areas
• Westmeath County Council: Athlone, Mullingar, Moate, Kinnegad and surrounding areas
• Wexford County Council: Wexford town, Enniscorthy, Gorey, New Ross and surrounding areas
• Wicklow County Council: Bray, Greystones, Wicklow town, Arklow and surrounding areas

Munster

• Clare County Council: Ennis, Shannon, Kilrush, Kilkee and surrounding areas
• Cork City Council: Cork city centre, Douglas, Blackrock, Ballincollig and surrounding areas
• Cork County Council: Carrigaline, Cobh, Midleton, Mallow and surrounding areas
• Kerry County Council: Tralee, Killarney, Listowel, Kenmare and surrounding areas
• Limerick City and County Council: Limerick City, Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Kilmallock and surrounding areas
• Tipperary County Council: Clonmel, Nenagh, Thurles, Roscrea and surrounding areas
• Waterford City and County Council: Waterford City, Dungarvan, Tramore, Lismore and surrounding areas

Connacht

• Galway City Council: Galway city centre, Salthill, Knocknacarra, Renmore and surrounding areas
• Galway County Council: Tuam, Ballinasloe, Loughrea, Athenry and surrounding areas
• Leitrim County Council: Carrick-on-Shannon, Manorhamilton, Mohill, Ballinamore and surrounding areas
• Mayo County Council: Castlebar, Ballina, Westport, Claremorris and surrounding areas
• Roscommon County Council: Roscommon town, Boyle, Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen and surrounding areas
• Sligo County Council: Sligo town, Tubbercurry, Ballymote, Enniscrone and surrounding areas

Ulster (Republic of Ireland)

• Cavan County Council: Cavan town, Bailieborough, Cootehill, Virginia and surrounding areas
• Donegal County Council: Letterkenny, Buncrana, Donegal town, Ballyshannon and surrounding areas
• Monaghan County Council: Monaghan town, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Clones and surrounding areas

Planning services across Ireland

• Planning permission advice and feasibility reviews
• Change of use applications
• Commercial to residential conversions
• Commercial planning applications
• Retention planning permission
• Planning refusals and appeals to An Coimisiún Pleanála
• One-off rural houses and local need assessments
• Section 5 declarations and pre-planning (Section 247) consultations

Frequently asked questions

Which planning authority covers my site?

In most counties it is the county council. In Dublin it is Dublin City Council, Fingal, South Dublin or Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. In Cork and Galway it depends on whether the site is inside the city boundary. Some towns, including Drogheda, Athlone, Carlow and Portarlington, cross county boundaries, so we confirm the correct authority at the start of every enquiry.

Do you advise on planning applications outside Dublin?

Yes. We advise on proposals throughout Ireland, in all 26 counties and with all 31 local planning authorities, from house extensions and rural houses to change of use, commercial schemes, retention and appeals.

What is An Coimisiún Pleanála?

An Coimisiún Pleanála is the national body that decides planning appeals and certain strategic applications. It replaced An Bord Pleanála in 2025. Appeals against a local authority decision generally have to be lodged within four weeks of the decision date.

Information to include with your enquiry

The more accurately we understand the site and proposed development, the more useful an initial response can be.

• Full property address and Eircode, if available
• Existing use and proposed use or works
• Any planning reference numbers, decisions or drawings
• Relevant timescales and known constraints

Request a planning assessment

Contact Ireland Planning on 01 223 2496 or send an enquiry using our contact page. Tell us the site address and your proposal, and we will explain the next practical step.

Request a Planning Assessment →

Planning law and local policy can change. Any general information on this page should be checked against the provisions in force and the specific property circumstances before relying on an exemption or commencing works.