Rural housing eligibility
Who can build a house in the Tipperary countryside?
To build a new one-off house in the Tipperary countryside, applicants must demonstrate a social and/or economic need, which is a key consideration particularly in designated Areas under Urban Influence. Specific exceptions allow farmers to build near active farmyards, and houses exceeding 350 square meters are strictly limited to substantial landholdings with natural screening.
Who may qualify
Social and/or Economic Need(Page 10)
Applicants who can demonstrate a personal social and/or economic need to reside in the area, which is a key consideration particularly within designated 'Areas under Urban Influence'.
Farmer of the land(Page 7)
A farmer of the land is permitted to build a residential dwelling adjacent to an active farmyard and farmyard activities, which would otherwise be deemed incompatible for regular residential use.
Substantial landholding owner(Page 22)
Applicants who own a substantial landholding with natural screening are permitted to build very large houses exceeding 350 square meters.
Rules by rural area type
The county is split into area types with different rules.
Areas under Urban Influence
An applicant's personal social and/or economic need is a key consideration for planning officers assessing housing applications in these restricted zones.
Open Countryside
General rural areas where planning applications must comply with the design and siting principles of the Design Manual and the housing policies set out in Chapter 5 of the Development Plan.
Conditions attached
- Houses in excess of 350sq.m. will only be considered where part of a substantial landholding with natural screening.
- The applicant must undertake an on-site suitability test (percolation test) in accordance with the EPA Code of Practice to ensure safe wastewater disposal.
- Connection to a public water supply is mandatory where one is available.
- New entrances are not permitted onto motorways, and there are planning restrictions for new entrances onto regional roads.
Who typically does not qualify
- Applicants seeking to build a dwelling adjacent to an active farmyard and its activities, unless they are the farmer of the land.
- Applicants proposing to build a house exceeding 350sq.m. without being part of a substantial landholding.
- Proposals that would contribute to ribbon development, defined as 5 or more existing or permitted dwellings along any one side of a 250m stretch of road.