Rural housing eligibility
Who can build a house in the Kildare countryside?
To build a new one-off house in rural County Kildare, applicants must have a genuine housing need and a social or economic requirement to live in the countryside. This generally requires having lived in the local area for at least 16 years, with the proposed site situated within 5km of the original family home. Alternatively, applicants can renovate an existing traditional vernacular structure without needing to meet these local need criteria.
Who may qualify
Local Resident(71)
Individuals who live or have previously lived in the area for a considerable period, specified as 16 years.
Family Connection(71)
Applicants whose proposed site is located within 5km of their original family home.
Social or Economic Need(71)
Applicants who have a genuine social or economic need to build a new home and live in the countryside.
Vernacular Renovators (Exempt)(4)
Applicants who renovate, reuse, or extend an existing derelict traditional vernacular structure are exempt from meeting the local rural housing policy need criteria.
Rules by rural area type
The county is split into area types with different rules.
Zone 1 – Areas under Strong Urban Influence
These areas already have a high density of one-off rural dwellings, making it highly difficult for applicants to find sites capable of physically absorbing further development.
Zone 2 – Stronger Rural Areas
These areas do not have the same high level of one-off housing as Zone 1, meaning they are more likely to have the capacity to absorb further housing development.
Conditions attached
- Applicants must have a genuine housing need, and already owning a home may be considered problematic.
- The proposed site must be located in an area that can physically absorb further development.
- The development must not contribute to ribbon development, defined as five or more houses along 250 metres on one side of any road.
- The site must facilitate safe vehicle access with clear visibility lines.
Who typically does not qualify
- Applicants who already own a house.
- Applicants who do not have a social or economic requirement to live in the countryside.
- Applicants who have not lived in the area (within 5km of the family home) for a considerable period (generally 16 years).
- Proposed builds that would contribute to ribbon development or urban sprawl.