COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 12, 2022

QUESTION NO. 19

QUESTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin

To ask the Chief Executive if there are any rules or planning guidelines that set an upper limit on the height of a boundary wall or hedge or row of trees between two adjoining properties in a housing estate?

REPLY:

In practice, when planning permission is granted a condition of the permission may relate to the height of the walls/boundary treatment in th rear garden(s) and to the front of houses.  Height could range from 1.8metres to 2 metres height for rear gardens, and walls to the front of houses are typically 1.2metres. 

Most planning permissions for housing estates would require submission of landscape plans, and these would typically include details of the boundary treatments e.g. height of walls, tree planting etc.  These conditions would all be context based / site specific, and have regard to the topography of the site.

Otherwise, under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) Class 5 details what walls may be build without planning permission ( exempt development). Information relating to Class 5 is available at the following link.

S.I. No. 600/2001 - Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (irishstatutebook.ie)

With specific reference to hedgerows or trees:  This may also form part of a landscape plan as part of a planning permission, and this plan would need to be consulted with regard to a specific site. 

Without prejudice, in planning legislation, as such there are no height restrictions on planting hedgerows.