Planning and Building

Planning and Building Services

Building Control

7-Day Notice

You must give 7 days notice to the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office before starting building work. The notice must say that the building will meet fire safety standards and that you will complete any requirements of the Fire Safety Certificate within a set time.

Building Control Register

National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office maintain a public register of building control activities such as Commencement Notices, 7-Day Notices, Certificates of Compliance on Completion, Disability Access Certificates and Fire Safety Certificates.

Building Regulations Works Authorisation

Laois County Council may assess applications for a relaxation or exemption from building regulations and may grant or refuse an application based on their assessment.

Certificate of Compliance on Completion Submission

Builders and assigned certifiers must submit a certificate of completion to the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office. This certificate confirms that the building complies with regulations before it is occupied or used.

Commencement Notice Submission

A Commencement Notice is required to give notice to the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office of the erection of such buildings, or classes of buildings, or the carrying out of such works, or classes of works, as may be specified in the regulations.

Disability Access Certificate

You must apply to the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office for a certificate if you construct a new building, carry out alterations or change the use of a specified existing building. This confirms that a building complies with disability access requirements before it is occupied or used.

Fire Regularisation Certificate

You must apply to Laois Fire Authority for a certificate if you own a non-domestic building or apartment block which was completed without a Fire Safety Certificate to confirm that the building complies with fire safety standards.

Fire Safety Certificate

You must apply to Laois Fire Authority for a certificate if you build, extend or substantially alter a building (other than dwelling houses and certain agricultural buildings) to confirm that the proposed works comply with fire safety standards.

Markets and Trading

Advertising Signage Licence

You must apply to Laois County Council for a licence if you want to erect permanent or temporary advertising signs and structures about your business on public roads.

Outdoor Event Licence

Organisers of outdoor events with an audience of more than 5,000 may have to apply to Laois County Council for a licence.

Sandwich Board Licence

You must apply to Laois County Council if you want to erect a sandwich board display sign on a public road or footpath to promote your business.

Street Performer Permit

Street performers such as buskers, artists, dancers or theatrical performers may apply to Laois County Council for a licence.

Development Management

Applying for Planning Permission

You must apply for planning permission if you want to build or demolish property, or significantly alter the use of land or property unless the development is exempt.

Development Contribution Payment

Development Contributions apply to certain planning permissions, depending on the nature of the development, the reason for the application of Development Contributions is for the provision of public infrastructure and facilities in County Laois.

Development Contribution Rebate Scheme

Builders and developers can apply to a local authority for a refund on development levies where they plan to construct residential units within certain thresholds and in specific locations.

Part 8 Development Consultation

Laois County Council must give public notice, under Part 8 of the planning laws, when they propose to build housing, roads, bridges, tunnels, fire stations, libraries or public swimming pools. You can have an input into the proposal through consultation.

Part V Planning Exemption Certificate

Laois County Council may issue certificates of exemption, under Part 5 of the planning laws, to applicants/developers for smaller residential developments which are excluded from social and affordable housing requirements.

Planning Bond Management

Laois County Council may require developers to lodge a cash sum, insurance company bond or other security which can be used to carry out works if a development does not meet required standards.

Planning Bond Refund

Laois County Council may refund or return unused planning bonds where completed works have been carried out to the required standard.

Planning Permission Extension of Duration

You can apply to Laois Planning Authority to extend the duration of a grant of planning permission if the work is not complete before the grant of planning permission expires.

Pre-Planning Consultation

Laois Planning Authority may hold pre planning meetings or consultations if you want information and advice about the planning process before making an application.

Site Suitability Assessment

Laois County Council may assess proposed wastewater treatment and disposal systems on sites being considered for single houses.

Strategic Environmental Assessment Consultation

Local authorities may carry out strategic environmental assessments to evaluate the environmental impact of implementing their development plan. You can have an input into these assessments through consultation.

Street Furniture Licence

You must apply to Laois County Council for a licence to place furniture such as tables and chairs on the public footpath outside your premises.

Vacant Sites Enforcement

Local authorities may take action against owners of vacant sites that could be suitable for housing development.

Vacant Sites Levy Payment

Owners of land or property which is entered on a local authority vacant sites register may have to pay a levy.

Vacant Sites Register Consultation

Local authorities may accept comments and objections from owners of land or property that is being considered for entry onto the vacant sites register.

Local Area Plans

Carlow Graiguecullen Joint Urban Local Area Plan

The Carlow-Graiguecullen Joint Urban Local Area Plan 2024-2030 was adopted by the Elected Members of Laois County Council at a Council meeting on the 29th July 2024. The Carlow-Graiguecullen Joint Urban Local Area Plan 2024-2030 came into effect on the 9th September 2024 within the functional area of Laois County Council

Mountmellick Local Area Plan 2018-2024

The Mountmellick Local Area Plan 2018 - 2024 was adopted by the Elected Members of Laois County Council at a Council meeting on the 10th September 2018. The Mountmellick Local Area Plan 2018 - 2024 came into effect on 8th October 2018.

Portarlington Joint Local Area Plan 2018-2024

Portarlington Joint Local Area Plan 2018-2024 came into effect on 8th October 2018 in the administrative area of Laois County Council and on the 15th October 2018 in the administrative area of Offaly County Council.

Property Management

Land and Property Leasing

Laois County Council may lease land or properties to you for grazing, tillage, commercial or residential use.

Planning Enforcement

Dangerous Places Enforcement

Laois County Council may take action against owners of places likely to be dangerous to the public such as excavations, quarries, pits, wells, reservoirs and dumps.

Funfair Notification

You must notify Laois Planning Authority if you wish to hold or organise a funfair.

Hoarding Licence

You must apply to Laois Planning Authority for a licence to erect hoarding on a public road.

Mobile Appliance Licence

You must apply to Laois Planning Authority for a licence to use mobile equipment such as cranes, cherry pickers or hoists.

Planning and Development Enforcement

Laois Planning Authority may investigate and take action against developers of land or property who do not have the required permission or have not met the terms of their permission.

Planning Permission Compliance

Laois Planning Authority will issue letters of compliance to planning applicants to confirm compliance with certain conditions of the planning permission granted to them.

Scaffolding Licence

You must apply to Laois Planning Authority if you want to erect scaffolding on a public road.

Short-Term Letting Enforcement

Laois Planning Authority may take action against owners who rent out properties for short term lets and have not registered with the local planning authority or applied for change of use planning permission.

Short-Term Letting Registration

You must register with Laois Planning Authority or apply for a change of use of planning permission if you want to rent your property on a short term basis within a designated rent pressure zone.

Urban and Rural Development

Derelict Sites Enforcement

Local authorities may take action against owners or occupiers of neglected, unsightly or littered properties.

Derelict Sites Levy Payment

Owners of land or property which is entered on a local authority derelict sites register may have to pay a levy.

Public Realm Design Consultation

Laois County Council engage with communities to give people a say in the design of public spaces such as streetscapes and public squares. The public may have an input into the design through consultation.

Public Realm Plan Consultation

Laois County Council prepare plans for the development of specific public space projects. You can have an input into the plans through consultation.

Public Realm Strategy Consultation

Local authorities may prepare strategies to improve streets and public spaces in line with the location, history and character of the place. You can have an input into the strategies through consultation.

Rural Design Guidelines

Laolis County Council will prepare guidelines for the design and building of new houses in rural areas.

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Local authorities will provide financial support to community and business groups for projects to improve local towns and villages.

Laois County Council Plans

Development Plan Consultation

Local authorities prepare development plans for land use and development management. You can have an input into the plans through consultation.

Local Area Plan Consultation

Local authorities prepare local area plans for land use and development management. You can have an input into the plans through consultation.

Retail Strategy Consultation

Laois County Council may prepare strategies for retail development. You can have an input into the strategies through consultation.

Statistics and Reports

Planning Reports

Local authorities will provide planning reports and information to government departments and other agencies.

Environmental Protection

Special Amenity Area Consultation

Local authorities will designate areas of outstanding natural beauty or special recreational value as Special Amenity Areas. You can have an input into the designations through consultation.

Special Area of Conservation Assessment

Local authorities assess relevant planning applications to measure the impact on special areas of conservation (SACs). Habitats and species which must be protected in SACs include bogs, sand dunes, lakes, rivers, woodlands, otters, salmon and bottlenose dolphins.

Contact this service

Address

The Planning Office

Laois County Council, James Fintan Lalor Avenue, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Opening times

Planning Office

9.30am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday, excluding lunchtime

Telephone: 057 8664039

 

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