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Can my neighbour build a wall on the boundary in Ireland?

Yes, in many cases a boundary wall up to a certain height can be exempted development under Class 9 of Schedule 2 to the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, but the exemption's height limit is lower next to a public road, and any wall exceeding the limits or built on land that is genuinely yours, not your neighbour's, may raise both planning and property law issues.

Building a wall, fence, or similar structure of a moderate height along or beside a boundary is commonly exempted development under Class 9 of Schedule 2 to the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. The exemption generally allows walls up to around 2 metres in height between neighbouring properties, but restricts the height to a lower limit, generally around 1.2 metres, where the wall faces onto a public road, to protect sightlines and traffic safety.

If a wall exceeds the relevant height limit for its position, or does not meet other conditions of Class 9 (for example, if it would obstruct the safe use of a public road or if the property carries a planning condition restricting boundary treatments), then planning permission is required, and your neighbour cannot simply proceed without it.

Separately from planning law, the exact position of the boundary itself is a property law question, not a planning one. If a wall is built entirely on your side of the actual boundary line, or encroaches onto your land, that is a civil trespass or boundary dispute matter for a solicitor and possibly a chartered surveyor, and is not something the planning authority can resolve.

What to check if a neighbour is building a boundary wall

Work through these checks:

  • Measure the height of the proposed or built wall from ground level on the higher side, where relevant
  • Check whether the wall faces a public road, which lowers the exempted height limit
  • Confirm the wall's position against your title deed or land registry map to rule out encroachment
  • Ask the council whether any planning condition on the property restricts boundary treatments
  • Request a section 5 declaration from the council if you believe the wall exceeds exempted development limits
  • Contact planning enforcement if you believe unauthorised development is taking place
  • Consult a solicitor if the dispute concerns the actual line of the boundary rather than planning rules

Keeping dated photographs of the wall as it is built can be useful evidence if a dispute over height or position arises later.

When to involve the council versus a solicitor

Involve the local authority's planning enforcement section where the concern is about height, road safety sightlines, or whether the works are exempted development. Involve a solicitor and, if needed, a chartered surveyor, where the concern is about exactly where the legal boundary lies or whether the wall trespasses onto your land.

Sources

Last reviewed 20 August 2026. General information only — not legal or planning advice.

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