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

South Dublin County Council has two things most councils do not: a House Extension Design Guide of its own, and Same Day Validation for domestic extensions, where the application is checked at the counter while you wait. This guide covers both, along with searching, the weekly lists and pre planning.

How to search South Dublin County Council planning applications

Applications from 2000 onwards are on the council's Planning Portal, with a separate archive for 1964 to 1999 and an interactive map.

The council's search and view page links to the Planning Portal, the decisions archive and an interactive map. A hard copy of a file more than 5 years old carries a €30 search fee, paid in advance, and a certified copy of a decision is €9.

South Dublin weekly planning lists

Up to four lists a week: applications received, decisions made, appeals notified and appeal decisions, with an email subscription.

The weekly lists are labelled by the week ending Friday and go back to 2005. You can subscribe by email.

Making a planning application to South Dublin County Council

Online through the national planning portal, or on paper with 6 copies of the maps and drawings. Domestic extensions can use Same Day Validation.

• See the council's make a planning application page.
• Same Day Validation is for domestic extensions and developments of up to one house: the application is validated at the public counter, by appointment, on Wednesdays. Book on 01 414 9000 or planningdept@sdublincoco.ie.
• County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24, D24 A3XC.

The South Dublin House Extension Design Guide

South Dublin's own design guide for extensions supplements the development plan and replaces the 2010 guide.

The House Extension Design Guide covers rear, side and attic extensions with drawn examples. Two of its principles:

• The ridge height of a first floor or two storey rear extension should respect the ridge height of the main house.
• A dormer should be set back at least 3 tile courses from the eaves line of the house.

The council also publishes a guide to house extension exemptions, written before the July 2026 changes, so check its figures against the current rules.

Pre planning with South Dublin County Council

Request it online through the pre application portal, with a site location map and drawings. Only people with a legal interest in the site can apply.

The pre planning page links to the pre application portal and the request form. Send an Ordnance Survey map at 1:1000 in urban areas or 1:2500 in rural areas, and the drawings. Meetings are held only for complex proposals, the council keeps written minutes, and a consultation does not confirm whether something is exempt.

South Dublin County Development Plan: Tallaght, Lucan, Clondalkin and Rathfarnham

The South Dublin County Development Plan 2022 to 2028 came into effect on 3 August 2022.

See the development plan and its interactive map. The Tallaght Town Centre Local Area Plan was extended in April 2025 to run until the county plan expires. The council lists statutory local area plans for Ballycullen and Oldcourt, Fortunestown, Newcastle and Liffey Valley, and non statutory plans for Clondalkin, Lucan and Ballyboden, among others.

Protected structures and conservation areas in South Dublin

The Record of Protected Structures is Appendix 3a of the 2022 to 2028 plan.

Use the current record: the council's protected structures page still links the 2016 to 2022 list. Conservation areas include Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown, Rathfarnham and Tallaght, among others listed on the conservation areas page.

Making a submission and contacting South Dublin planning

Submissions cost €20, within 5 weeks of the application being received, online through the Planning Portal.

• See the council's observations and submissions page. Submissions are published on the file.
• Email: planningdept@sdublincoco.ie, and planningsubmissions@sdublincoco.ie for submissions
• Phone: 01 414 9000

South Dublin 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 Tallaght, Lucan, Clondalkin, Rathfarnham and Templeogue

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 South Dublin 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.

South Dublin planning questions

How long does South Dublin take to decide a planning application?

The law gives every council, South Dublin 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 South Dublin?

Search the South Dublin Planning Portal, or find the application on the council's interactive map, or check the weekly received list. You have 5 weeks from the day the council receives the application to make a submission, for €20.

Can I get pre planning advice from South Dublin County Council?

Yes, if you have a legal interest in the site. Request it through the council's pre application portal with a site map and drawings. Meetings are held only for complex proposals; most advice is written.

How much does a planning application cost in South Dublin?

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 South Dublin?

Yes, across South Dublin, including Tallaght, Lucan, Clondalkin and Rathfarnham. 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.