Who can build a house in the Fingal countryside?

Who may qualify

• Development in Rural Clusters(Page 542, Section 14.12.6)

  Members of the Fingal Rural Community who have currently lived continuously in rural-zoned areas for the past ten years, have previously lived there for a minimum of ten continuous years, or have been working continuously in the area for the past ten years.

• Farm Families(Pages 542-543, Section 14.12.7 and Objective DMSO45)

  Close family members actively and directly engaged in running a family farm that has been working and actively managed in the family's ownership for a minimum of three years.

• Local Family Ties(Page 544, Table 14.10 (i))

  A member of a rural family who has a need to reside close to their family home due to close family ties, has lived in the family home or local area for at least fifteen years, and where no other family member has been granted a rural dwelling on this basis since October 19, 1999.

• Working Locally(Page 545, Table 14.10 (ii))

  A person in a full-time occupation that predominantly serves the rural community or economy for at least fifteen years prior to the application, who has not been granted rural housing permission since October 19, 1999.

• Exceptional Health Circumstances(Page 545, Table 14.10 (iii))

  An immediate member of a rural family who must reside adjacent to the family home due to exceptional health circumstances (supported by two sworn professional affidavits, including at least one registered medical practitioner) and who has not been granted permission since October 19, 1999.

• Bona Fide Rural Business Operators(Page 545, Table 14.10 (iv))

  An applicant with no family connections who shows a long-term commitment to operate a full-time, location-dependent business from their proposed home in a rural area, supported by a professional Business Plan and proof of funding.

• South Shore Rush Residents(Page 547, Section 14.12.11)

  Persons who have been resident for a minimum of ten years within the South Shore area, the development boundary of Rush, or within one kilometer by road of either of these areas.

• Displaced by Infrastructural Works(Page 547, Section 14.12.12)

  A member of a family whose original, long-standing family home has been acquired compulsorily or by agreement in the interest of the common good.

Rules by rural area type

The county is split into area types with different rules.

• Rural (RU) Zoned Land

  Up to two houses on a family farm are considered for farm families. Rural community applicants not in farming can qualify under local family ties (15 years residence), local employment (15 years), exceptional health, or local-dependent business criteria.

• High Amenity (HA) or Greenbelt (GB) Zoned Land

  Only one incremental house on a family farm is considered for farm families. For non-farming rural community members, only the exceptional health circumstances category applies under Table 14.10. A comprehensive Visual Impact Statement is mandatory.

• Rural Clusters (RC) and Rural Villages (RV)

  Small-scale infill development serving local needs is permitted for members of the Fingal Rural Community who meet the 10-year residency or 10-year local work requirements.

• Airport Noise Zone A

  New housing for non-farmers is actively resisted. Farming families may build subject to strict noise contour limits (no dwellings within the predicted 69 dB LAeq contour), insulation requirements, and independent noise assessments.