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Do I Need Planning Permission

Not all development requires an application for planning permission. Changes to your home and garden that in some cases do not require planning permission are known as 'exemptions.'

All exemptions are subject to a number of important general provisos, which are:

• The development must be within your domestic curtilage. This is usually, but not always, your garden area.
• There is a limit on the total area of exempt development which can be permitted within the curtilage of a house. No more than 50% of the curtilage, excluding the ground floor of the house as originally constructed, may be covered.
• All of the conditions of the exemption must be satisfied for the exemption to apply.

Exemptions do not apply to:

• A flat or maisonette or a building containing one or more flats or maisonettes, or
• Any building which was originally constructed, adapted for use or is used, as self-contained self catering holiday accommodation

Click on the type of development for additional information on what is permitted under planning exemptions and the conditions that apply.

You should be aware that there may be conditions of previous permissions that affect exemptions, for example, where planning permission for a group of houses was granted subject to a condition removing exemption rights for walls, sheds etc. If you suspect your property may be affected by such a condition, you should check your own property records and/or request the Department to check its records.

Building regulations

Planning exemptions do not apply to the building regulations, and a separate application for permission under building regulations may be required - for further information go to the Building Control section.

Protected buildings

Planning permission will be required in all cases for changes to protected buildings unless the contrary is specifically stated in the exemption

If you would like to make changes to a protected building or you are unsure if your building is protected go to Conserving the built environment

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Document downloads

Do I need permission for my development Householder's guide to planning and development

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