Planning Application Fees
From Fees Section
| Class of Development | Amount of Fee | Amount of Fee for Retention Permission |
|---|---|---|
| 1. House | €65 | €195 or €2.50 per m² of floor space (whichever is greater) |
| 2(a). Maintenance, improvement, extension, conversion of garage, shed, etc. 2(b). Other works within or bounding the curtilage of a house | €34 | €102 or €2.50 per m² of floor space (whichever is greater) |
| 3. Buildings/structures for agriculture or greyhounds | (i) Buildings – €80 per building or €1/m² over 50m² (greyhounds) or 200m² (other), max €300 (ii) Other structures – €80 each, max €300 | (i) €240 per building or €3/m² over thresholds, max €900 (ii) €240 per structure, max €900 |
| 4. Other buildings not in 1, 2, or 3 | €80 per building or €3.60 per m² (whichever is greater) | €240 per building or €10.80 per m² (whichever is greater) |
| 5(a). Intensive agricultural use of land 5(b). Initial afforestation 5(c). Replacement of broadleaf forest by conifers 5(d). Peat extraction | (a) €5/ha (b) €5/ha (c) €80 or €5/ha (whichever greater) (d) €5/ha | (a) €15/ha (b) €15/ha (c) €240 or €15/ha (whichever greater) (d) €15/ha |
| 6(a). Winning/working of minerals 6(b). Deposit of refuse or waste | €500 or €50 per 0.1ha (whichever greater) | €1,500 or €150 per 0.1ha (whichever greater) |
| 7(a). Use of land for tents, campervans, caravans, camping, or sale of goods 7(b). Parking of motor vehicles 7(c). Open storage of vehicles or goods | €80 or €50 per 0.1ha (whichever greater) | €240 or €150 per 0.1ha (whichever greater) |
| 8. Plants, machinery, tanks, or structures for storage | €200 or €50 per 0.1ha (whichever greater) | €600 or €150 per 0.1ha (whichever greater) |
| 9. Advertisement structures or use of land for advertisements | €80 or €20 per m² of ad space (whichever greater) | €240 or €60 per m² of ad space (whichever greater) |
| 10. Overhead electricity or telecomms lines | €80 or €50 per 1,000m length (whichever greater) | €240 or €150 per 1,000m length (whichever greater) |
| 11. Use of land as a golf or pitch-and-putt course | €50 per hectare | €150 per hectare |
| 12. Use of land as a burial ground | €200 or €50 per hectare (whichever greater) | €600 or €150 per hectare (whichever greater) |
| 13. Developments not in the above classes | €80 or €10 per 0.1ha (whichever greater) | €240 or €30 per 0.1ha (whichever greater) |
| 14. Large-scale residential development (LRD): (a) Pre-application consultation (b) Basic fee per housing unit (c) Other uses (per m² to max 30% floor space) (d) EIS/NIS submission | (a) €1,500 (b) €130 per housing unit (c) €7.20 per m² (max €32,400) (d) EIS €10,000 / NIS €10,000 | (a) — (b) €390 per housing unit (c) €15 per m² (max €65,000) (d) EIS €10,000 / NIS €10,000 |
Maximum and Minimum fees for planning applications
- The maximum fee payable for an outline application is €28,500.
2. The maximum fee payable for an Article 161 application is €20,000.
3. The maximum fee payable for a retention permission of unauthorised development is €125,000.
4. The maximum fee payable for any planning application other than an application mentioned in paragraph 1, 2, 3 or 6 is €38,000.
5. The minimum fee payable for a planning application shall be €34. In any case where the planning authority makes a planning application refund, the refund shall not be less than €34.
6. The maximum fee payable for an application for a large scale residential development shall be €80,000.
Where Do I Apply for Planning Permission?
Applications are made directly to:
Planning Department – Meath County Council
Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, County Meath, C15 Y291
📞 Tel: (046) 909 7000
📧 Email – planning@meathcoco.ie or customerservice@meathcoco.ie
🌐 Website – www.meath.ie
Applications can also be submitted digitally through the E-Planning Portal.
How Do I Apply?
- Download and Complete the Application Form
Access the relevant forms and checklists on the Meath County Council Planning Page.
2. Prepare the Required Documents:
- Completed application form.
- Site location map and layout plan.
- Elevations, floor plans, and sections.
- Newspaper notice and site notice.
- Application fee and supporting documents (e.g. percolation or drainage reports).
3. Submit via E-Planning or Post:
- Online – E-Planning Portal.
- Post / Deliver by hand – Planning Department, Buvinda House, Navan.
Approved Newspapers for Notices
- Irish Independent
- Irish Times
- Meath Chronicle
- Irish Daily Star
- The Herald
- Meath Topic
- Westmeath Examiner
- Drogheda Independent
- Drogheda Leader
- Anglo Celt
- Leinster Leader
- Liffey Champion
What Are the Main Types of Planning Permission?
- Full Permission
The standard application for building a new dwelling, extension, or major alteration.
2. Outline Permission
Used to establish whether a proposal is acceptable in principle before submitting detailed plans.
If granted, a subsequent full application must follow within 3 years.
3. Permission Consequent to Outline.
The full application that follows the initial outline permission above.
4. Retention Permission.
Required where works have already been carried out without prior approval.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must either:
- Own the land in question, or
- Have written consent from the legal landowner.
Prospective buyers or tenants should include the owner’s consent documentation with their submission.
Pre-Planning Consultation
Meath County Council encourages pre-planning consultations to identify potential issues early.
These meetings are held every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month and are recommended for:
- Housing developments (including one-off dwellings).
- Agricultural or commercial developments.
- Large residential or mixed-use projects.
Contact – planning@meathcoco.ie
Public Notice Requirements
Before submitting a planning application:
- Publish a notice in an approved local newspaper. (See List above)
- Erect a site notice in a visible location on or near the site entrance.
Notices must:
- Be issued no more than two weeks before application submission.
- Be A4-sized, weatherproof, and legible.
- Clearly describe the type and purpose of the proposed development.
Viewing and Tracking Applications
You can view current and historical applications at:
- Meath County Council Planning Search
- Weekly Planning Permissions List (From 2022)
- PlanningAlerts.ie (Meath Section)
You can search by:
- File reference number
- Applicant’s name
- Development address
- Type of development
What Must a Valid Application Include?
A valid planning application must include:
- Completed application form and correct fee.
- Proof of newspaper and site notices.
- Site location and layout maps.
- Drawings and elevations of proposed works.
- Ownership or consent documentation.
- Any additional reports required (drainage, flood risk, environmental, etc.).
Exempted Development
Certain small-scale works do not require planning permission under Irish law if they comply with national regulations. Common examples include:
- Small domestic extensions (up to 40m²).
- Garden sheds or greenhouses within 25 m sq.
- Minor boundary walls or fences under 2m.
- Some agricultural structures.
See:
👉 Section 5 Exempted Development Declarations
👉 Weekly Lists of Planning Decisions due in Each area of the County
👉 What Developments Are Exempt from Planning Permission in Ireland
Before You Apply – Quick Checklist
✅ Confirm if planning permission is required.
✅ Ensure correct permission type (full, outline, retention).
✅ Prepare site and elevation drawings.
✅ Publish and display valid notices.
✅ Include fee and ownership documentation.
✅ Submit online or in person.
