How do I check the zoning of land in Ireland?

Every local authority publishes its adopted county or city development plan, including the zoning maps, on its website, and most now provide an interactive online GIS or 'myplan' viewer where you can search by address, townland or eircode to see the zoning objective that applies to a specific parcel. This is the starting point for checking any site.

The map alone only gives a code or colour; the definitive answer is in the written statement of the development plan, which sets out what each zoning objective actually permits, restricts or prohibits, along with any specific local objectives that apply to that area (for example, phasing requirements, protected views, or flood zone overlays). Where a local area plan exists for the location, it can add more detailed or updated zoning that takes precedence over the broader county-wide designation.

For land near a town boundary, on a zoning-category boundary line, or affected by an active development plan review, the online map may not reflect the most current or precise position, so it is worth treating it as a strong indication rather than a final legal answer for anything beyond a straightforward inquiry.