In Ireland no planning permission is required for garden rooms if you remain within the following exemption guidelines:
1. ALLOWABLE SIZE OF EXEMPT GARDEN ROOMS
If you build a garden room in Ireland, you are permitted to build a Garden Room up to a maximum size of 25 square meters (270 Sq ft). There are some requirements to meet, such as leaving 25 square meters of free space in your Garden. The 25 sq metre free space can include the side and the rear of the property.
If you have an existing shed, this may take up some of the 25 square metre exemption. If, however, you have a shed or garage that was included in the original planning permission granted when the house was built, you are still permitted to the exemption which will allow you to build a Garden Room up to a maximum size of 25 square meters (270 Sq ft).
2. POSITION OF WINDOWS
There should not be a window positioned within 1m of a neighbour’s boundary.
3. HEIGHT OF GARDEN ROOMS
There are a few requirements for the height of the roof. For designs which are mono pitch, such as Sprout Pod garden rooms, you can construct up to 3m in height. All our standard designs are under 3m in height.
4. PLANNED USAGE
Garden rooms can be used for a range of purposes. Many Sprout Pod customers use them for cosy garden space, relaxation rooms, home offices, play room, home gym, art studio, games room, yoga space, a room for doing hobbies, etc.
The garden rooms are not permitted for sleeping accommodation or to be lived in. This is important if the emergency services attend the site are should be aware of habitable structure at the property. We recommend you speak with your local planning authorities for further information on live in or sleeping accommodation spaces.
5. FRONT LINE OF THE PROPERTY
Garden rooms can be built to the rear or side of your property. If you would like to place your room at the side of your property, to meet the exemption criteria you must either screen the garden room with fencing, bushes or trees, or the garden room must match the façade of the existing building.
6. FURTHER NOTES
Home in Ireland are entitled to construct a Garden Room in their garden up to 25 sq metres in size under the exempt development _PL5 Doing work around the house. While you do not have to inform your neighbours, we would recommend mentioning it out of courtesy.
Note: The above is our understanding of the planning exemptions in respect of building a garden room in Ireland. Ultimately it is the responsibility of the home owner to be aware of the planning exemption and local planning regulations, and we would recommend that you familiarise yourself with the exemption rules and contact your local planning authority to clarify any points, or if you feel you are not exempt. For more information check out the Government Development and Planning Guidelines.