4 Avoca Road, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

GuidesAll guides →

• Garden room and granny flat planning permission — the 2026 Class 1A and 3A exemptionsDublin councils granted 89% of the 911 garden-room and granny-flat applications lodged in the two years to September 2026. Since 27 July 2026 a detached 32–45 m² garden dwelling can be exempt, with a 14-day notice to the council.
• Planning permission for an extension in Ireland — the 45 m² exemption and a 94% grant rateDublin councils granted 94% of extension applications decided in the year to September 2026. Since 27 July 2026 a rear extension of up to 45 m² can be exempt. The conditions, when you still apply, the fee and the timeline.
• An Bord Pleanála appeal, now An Coimisiún Pleanála — four weeks, €220, and a 25% reversal rateThe Commission reversed the council in 25% of the 1,195 Dublin-area appeals decided in the two years to September 2026. Who can appeal, the four weeks, the €220 fee, why 240 appeals a year fail on procedure, and the odds by direction.
• Certificate of compliance with planning permission — what the architect's opinion covers and what it does notRetention applications were 17% of everything lodged in the GDA over 12 months, and a fifth of those decided were refused. What a certificate or opinion on compliance with planning permission says, who signs it, the Law Society and RIAI forms, and the gaps a buyer should close from the register.