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How big can a shed be without planning permission in Ireland?

Up to 25 m² in total. Class 2 of Schedule 2 to the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 exempts sheds and similar domestic structures to the rear of a house where their combined floor area does not exceed 25 m² and every other condition in that class is met.

The 25 m² figure is a combined limit, not a per-shed allowance. If you already have a garden store, greenhouse or similar structure to the rear, its floor area counts towards the same 25 m² total under Class 2 of Schedule 2 to the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended).

Height also matters: the class sets lower limits for structures with tiled or slated pitched roofs than for other roof types, and the structure must not be forward of the front wall of the house. At least 25 m² of private open space must remain in the curtilage after the shed is built.

The exemption is lost if the shed is used for human habitation or for a business, or if the property is a protected structure, is in an architectural conservation area, or is subject to a planning condition that removed exempted development rights.

How the 25 m² is counted

Check each of these against your own garden:

  • Add the floor area of all existing rear structures built under Class 2 to the new shed
  • The running total must stay at or below 25 m²
  • The shed must sit to the rear, not forward of the front wall of the house
  • Respect the roof-height limits set out in Class 2
  • Leave at least 25 m² of private open space in the curtilage
  • Use it for domestic storage or a hobby — not as living accommodation

Extensions are covered by a different class with its own allowance, so an existing extension does not automatically use up the shed allowance.

When to check with the council

If you are close to the 25 m² limit, unsure what earlier structures count, or the property has planning constraints, ask your local planning authority. You can also apply for a section 5 declaration under the Planning and Development Act 2000 for a formal decision on whether the works are exempted development.

Sources

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

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