Planning permission
In most cases,
no permission needed.
In Ireland and Northern Ireland, garden rooms are generally exempt from planning permission provided they stay within straightforward size, height, and position limits. Sprout Pod designs all standard models to sit within these exemptions.
No planning permission required for garden rooms under 30 m² that meet the six criteria below.
The six exemption criteria — Republic of Ireland
Maximum 30 m²
The garden room must not exceed 30 square metres in floor area (approximately 320 sq ft) — increased from 25 m² on 27 July 2026. You must also retain at least 25 m² of open garden space after installation — this can include the side and rear of the property.
Under 3 m for mono-pitch
For mono-pitch designs — which includes all standard Sprout Pod models — the maximum permitted height is 3 metres. All our designs sit comfortably under this threshold.
Rear or side only
The garden room must be positioned to the rear or side of the property, not in front of the building line. Side placement requires either screening via fencing or vegetation, or a finish that matches the existing facade.
1 m from boundary
No window should be positioned within 1 metre of a neighbouring boundary. This protects the privacy of adjoining properties.
Not for sleeping
The exemption covers garden rooms used as home offices, studios, gyms, relaxation rooms, art studios, play rooms, and yoga spaces. Sleeping accommodation or full-time habitation is not covered — for that, see the Detached Auxiliary Dwelling exemption below.
No obligation to notify
You are not legally required to notify neighbours. However, courtesy notification is recommended if the structure is close to a shared boundary.
New for 2026 · Republic of Ireland
A garden home you can live in — up to 45 m²
Since 27 July 2026, a new exemption — the Detached Auxiliary Dwelling (Class 3A) — allows a detached, habitable space of 32–45 m² to the rear of your home for family use, without a full planning application. Unlike a standard garden room, it can be lived and slept in.
Read the full auxiliary dwelling guide →- Floor area
- Between 32 m² and 45 m². Any existing garden structures count towards the 45 m² cap.
- Who it is for
- Family use only, occupied in conjunction with the main house. It cannot be sold, subdivided, sublet or short-term let separately.
- Build standard
- Built in line with Building Control legislation — Building Regulations including fire safety. It cannot be temporary in nature.
- Council notice
- At least 14 days’ written notice to your local planning authority before work commences. It is a notification, not an application.
- Services
- Served by the main house — no separate water or wastewater connection, and no additional treatment units.
- Boundaries
- At least 0.6 m from any wall or party boundary, with any windows also at least 0.6 m from the boundary they face.
- Garden space
- At least 25 m² of private open space must remain for the main house after the dwelling is built.
- Your residence
- The main house must be your sole or main residence when development commences, and Class 1A subdivision cannot also have been carried out.
- Deadline
- The exemption is time-bound — the dwelling must be completed before 31 December 2030.
A Class 3A dwelling carries more conditions than a garden room and must meet Building Regulations — the right build spec matters.
Northern Ireland
General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) 2015
Northern Ireland follows the GPDO 2015, which provides broadly similar permitted development rights for outbuildings. Structures must be within the curtilage of a dwelling, not forward of the principal elevation, and within permitted height and footprint limits.
We recommend checking with your local council for the most up-to-date guidance, particularly if your property is in a designated area such as an AONB or conservation zone.
Planning questions answered
- Do I need planning permission for a garden room in Ireland?
- In most cases, no. Under Irish planning law, garden rooms are exempt from planning permission provided they meet the size, position, and height criteria — primarily that the structure is under 30 m² (from 27 July 2026; previously 25 m²) and 25 m² of open garden space remains.
- What is the maximum size for an exempt garden room in Ireland?
- The maximum permitted size under the exemption is 30 square metres (approximately 320 sq ft), increased from 25 m² on 27 July 2026. You must also retain at least 25 m² of open garden space after installation.
- Are there height restrictions?
- For mono-pitch designs like Sprout Pod garden rooms, the maximum permitted height is 3 metres. All our standard designs are under 3 metres.
- Are there restrictions on window positions?
- Yes. There should be no window positioned within 1 metre of a neighbouring boundary.
- Can I place the garden room at the front of my property?
- No. The exemption applies to structures positioned to the rear or side of the property. Side placement requires either appropriate screening or a finish matching the existing building facade.
- Can I use the garden room as a sleeping space?
- Not a standard garden room — that exemption is for non-habitable use (offices, studios, gyms, leisure). However, since 27 July 2026 there is a separate new exemption — a Class 3A Detached Auxiliary Dwelling of 32–45 m² — which can be lived in, for family use, subject to conditions. See the questions below.
- Do I need to inform my neighbours?
- You are not legally obligated to notify neighbours under the exemption. However, courtesy notification is generally recommended, particularly if the structure is close to a shared boundary.
- What is a Detached Auxiliary Dwelling (Class 3A)?
- It is a new exemption introduced on 27 July 2026 that allows a detached, habitable dwelling of 32–45 m² to the rear of your home — for family use, such as an adult child, a parent or a live-in carer — without a full planning application. It is linked to the main house's services and can only be used alongside the main home. It cannot be sold, subdivided or short-term let separately.
- What conditions apply to a Detached Auxiliary Dwelling?
- It must be 32–45 m² (counting any existing garden structures towards the 45 m² cap), used only in conjunction with the main house, built to Building Regulations including fire safety, served by the main house's water and wastewater, and kept at least 0.6 m from any boundary. You must give the local planning authority at least 14 days' written notice before starting, retain at least 25 m² of private garden, and the main house must be your sole or main residence. The exemption is time-limited and the works must be completed before 31 December 2030.
- Do I have to tell the council before building a Class 3A dwelling?
- Yes. For a Class 3A Detached Auxiliary Dwelling (and for a Class 1A subdivision) you must notify your local planning authority at least 14 days before work commences, using the notification template in the regulations. It is not a planning application, but it is mandatory. We can help you prepare it.
- Does the Detached Auxiliary Dwelling exemption expire?
- Yes. The Class 3A exemption is time-bound — the dwelling must be completed before 31 December 2030 to rely on it. The standard 30 m² garden room exemption is not time-limited.
- What about Northern Ireland?
- Northern Ireland follows the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) 2015. Rules are broadly similar — structures must be in the curtilage of a dwelling, not forward of the principal elevation, and within permitted height and footprint limits. We recommend checking with your local council for up-to-date guidance.
The information on this page is provided as general guidance only. Planning regulations can change and may vary based on your specific location and property type. Always verify current rules with your local planning authority before proceeding.