Fingal County Council planning applications: how to search, apply and track

Fingal County Council keeps its planning files on its own online system and map, publishes four weekly lists, and offers pre planning advice on domestic extensions through an online portal. National map tools stopped receiving new Fingal applications in early September 2026, so use the council's own system for anything recent.

How to search Fingal County Council planning applications

Search the council's online planning system or its map. All documents except confidential information can be viewed.

The council's view or search planning applications page links to the online system and the map search.

• Not all documents for applications made before 2005 are online.
• Documents can take several days to appear after an application is lodged. Hard copies are at the public counter.
• National map tools stopped receiving Fingal applications after 8 September 2026; the council's own system is current.

Fingal weekly planning lists

Four lists a week as Word files: applications received, decisions made, appeals received and appeal decisions.

The planning weekly lists can be filtered by year, back to 2004.

Making a planning application to Fingal County Council

Online through planning.localgov.ie, or by post or at the counter at County Hall, Swords.

• See the council's planning permission page, which also lists the validation checklist, the application form and site notice guidance.
• Paper applications go to the Planning Department, Fingal County Council, County Hall, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 X8Y2. Cash is accepted only at the Cash Office, 9.30am to 3.30pm; applications lodged outside those hours are accepted with payment due the next working day.
• Fingal hosts the national leaflet A Guide to Doing Work Around the House, written in 2023, before the July 2026 exemption changes.

Pre planning advice on extensions from Fingal County Council

Request it through the pre application portal with the request form, a site location map, a description and photos or sketches.

The pre planning consultation service is open to anyone with an interest in the land. Advice may be given by phone, letter, email or a meeting. Use the pre application portal and the request form, with a map at 1:1000 in urban areas or 1:2500 in rural areas. Fingal does not deal with speculative enquiries or sites that are for sale.

Fingal Development Plan: extensions in Swords, Malahide, Donabate and Castleknock

The Fingal Development Plan 2023 to 2029 came into effect on 5 April 2023. Section 14.10.2 covers residential extensions, including dormers.

See the development plan, its interactive map and the consolidated written statement. Section 14.10.2 has separate guidance for front, side, rear ground floor and first floor extensions, and for roof alterations, attic conversions and dormers. It says:

• The Council will support applications to amend existing homes to reconfigure and extend as the needs of the household change.
• Dormer extensions will be evaluated against their impact on the form and character of the existing house.

Sections 14.10.3 and 14.10.4 cover family flats and garden rooms. The plan lists local area plans for places including Donabate, Barnhill and Kinsaley, and a new local area plan for Swords is among those to be prepared.

Protected structures and conservation areas in Fingal

The Record of Protected Structures is Appendix 5 of the development plan. Conservation area boundaries are on the plan's map viewer.

The record of protected structures and conservation areas is one document. On the plan maps, protected structures show as a yellow circle with a number. Turn on the conservation area layer in the plan's map viewer for the exact boundaries. The Conservation Officer is on 01 890 6709.

Making a submission and contacting Fingal planning

Submissions cost €20, within 5 weeks of the application's registered date.

• See the council's observations and submissions page.
• Phone: 01 890 5000
• Email: planning@fingal.ie
• County Hall, Main Street, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 X8Y2

Fingal County Council warns that using planning applicants' personal details, including for marketing, may be unlawful and may lead to prosecution. We never collect or use them.

Kitchen, window and wardrobe fit out for extensions in Swords, Malahide, Donabate, Skerries and Castleknock

Once the extension is built, we design, supply and fit the kitchen, windows, wardrobes and fitted furniture, made to measure and fitted by our own team. See fitted kitchens in Dublin.

Photos of our own work are kitchens Stephen's team fitted in Dublin, and every caption says so; anything else is labelled a design visual; we will not describe them as Fingal jobs. Rated 5.0 on Google, 7 reviews. If your drawings are ready, the free plan check gets the fit out priced from them by our team.

For the rules that apply everywhere, see when an extension needs planning permission, the planning process step by step and what an extension costs.

Fingal planning questions

How long does Fingal take to decide a planning application?

The law gives every council, Fingal County Council included, 8 weeks from receiving a valid application to decide, unless it asks for further information. Add 4 weeks after the decision for the appeal period before permission is granted.

How do I see a neighbour's planning application in Fingal?

Search Fingal's online planning system or its map, and open the documents on the file. For anything lodged after early September 2026, use the council's own system rather than national map tools. You have 5 weeks from the registered date to make a submission, for €20.

Can I get pre planning advice from Fingal County Council?

Yes. Fingal gives pre planning advice to anyone with an interest in the land, through its pre application portal. Send the request form, a site map, a description and photos or sketches.

How much does a planning application cost in Fingal?

The fee for a house extension is €34, set nationally, so it is the same in every county. A submission on someone else's application is €20, and an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála is €220. The drawings and professional time cost far more than the fees.

Do you fit kitchens, windows and wardrobes in Fingal?

Yes, across Fingal, including Swords, Malahide, Donabate and Castleknock. Send the drawings for a free plan check and you get a free 3D design and itemised quote for the kitchen, windows, wardrobes and anything else you tick.