Shed, garden room or log cabin in Ireland: 30 m² without planning permission
A shed, garden room or log cabin needs no planning permission in Ireland if all such structures in the garden total no more than 30 m², it is no higher than 4 m with a tiled or slated pitched roof (3 m otherwise), it is not forward of the front wall, 25 m² of garden is left, and it is not used to live or sleep in.
Rules as of 10 October 2026. Class 3 as substituted by S.I. No. 338 of 2026, in force since 27 July 2026.
- 30 m² in total for every Class 3 structure in the curtilage, up from 25 m² before 27 July 2026 (condition 2).
- Height: 4 m with a tiled or slated pitched roof, 3 m for any other roof (condition 5), measured from the lowest ground next to it.
- Not forward of the front wall of the house (condition 1).
- At least 25 m² of private open space left to the rear or side (condition 3).
- No habitation and no keeping of pigs, poultry, pigeons, ponies or horses (condition 6).
Every condition of Class 3
| The rule | Where it is in the law |
|---|---|
| The structure must not be forward of the front wall of the house. | Regulations 2001, Class 3, condition 1 |
| All Class 3 structures in the curtilage, existing and new, must not exceed 30 m² in total. | Regulations 2001, Class 3, condition 2 |
| At least 25 m² of private open space must remain to the rear or side of the house. | Regulations 2001, Class 3, condition 3 |
| A garage or other structure to the side of the house must match the house’s external finishes, and its roof covering where tiled or slated. | Regulations 2001, Class 3, condition 4 |
| Height must not exceed 4 m with a tiled or slated pitched roof, or 3 m in any other case. | Regulations 2001, Class 3, condition 5 |
| It must not be used for human habitation, for keeping pigs, poultry, pigeons, ponies or horses, or for anything other than a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the house. | Regulations 2001, Class 3, condition 6 |
Home office, gym or bedroom?
A home office, a gym, a hobby room or storage is a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the house, which condition 6 allows. A room to sleep or live in is not: that is human habitation. Since 27 July 2026 there is a separate class for that, Class 3A, with a minimum of 32 m², a 14-day notice and an end date of 31 December 2030. Class 3 structures also count towards the 45 m² limit of a Class 3A house.
A structure to the side of the house must match the house’s external finishes, and its roof covering if tiled or slated (condition 4).
Questions
What size shed can I build without planning permission in Ireland?
Up to 30 m² for all such structures together, 4 m high with a tiled or slated pitched roof or 3 m with any other roof, behind the front wall, leaving at least 25 m² of garden.
Can a log cabin be used as a bedroom without planning permission?
Not under Class 3, which does not allow human habitation. A detached house in the rear garden can be exempt under Class 3A, with its own conditions and a 14-day notice to the council.
Related
- England and IrelandCheck your project in 3DThe free checker, condition by condition.
- IrelandA granny flat: Class 3A32 to 45 m², 14 days’ notice, to 2030.
- IrelandThe new exemptions of 27 July 2026Every class that changed, old and new limits.
- EnglandGarden rooms: the 2.5 m ruleHeight near a boundary, the 50% rule, uses.
- IrelandSection 5 declarations€80, 4 weeks, what to send.
Sources: S.I. No. 338 of 2026, article 4; the Department’s consolidated Regulations (article 5(2) on heights). Last checked 10 October 2026. Irish Statute Book content is used under the Oireachtas (Open Data) PSI Licence, which incorporates CC BY 4.0. This page is not legal advice and not a formal decision; it is not affiliated with any council or government department.