18/08/2026
⚠️BUILDING A 45m² GARDEN HOME? READ THIS FIRST!
The new planning exemptions are fantastic news for homeowners — but PLANNING EXEMPT DOES NOT MEAN RULES EXEMPT.
Before you order a garden home, log cabin, timber-frame or modular home, make sure your property and proposed building actually qualify.
✅ YOUR 45m² GARDEN HOME CHECKLIST
📐 SIZE
The new detached habitable garden-home exemption applies to qualifying homes between 32m² and 45m².
🏠 MAIN HOME
Check that your property meets the requirements relating to the principal dwelling and owner occupation.
🌿 GARDEN SPACE
You must retain the required amount of usable garden space after the new home is built.
📏 BOUNDARIES & POSITION
There are specific rules governing where the building can sit, including boundary separation and its position relative to the main house.
🚒 ACCESS
Suitable access must be maintained, including the requirements intended to allow emergency access.
💧 WATER & WASTEWATER
Don’t assume you can simply connect everything afterwards. Your existing water and wastewater arrangements need to be suitable for the additional dwelling.
⚡ ELECTRICITY & SERVICES
Plan your electricity, heating, drainage and other services properly before construction begins.
🔥 FIRE SAFETY
A planning exemption does not exempt your new home from fire-safety requirements.
🏗️ BUILDING REGULATIONS
This is probably the most important point of all.
If somebody is going to live or sleep in the building, it needs to be designed and constructed as a proper habitable dwelling and comply with the relevant Irish Building Regulations — insulation, ventilation, structure, fire safety, energy performance and more.
📋 BUILDING CONTROL / CERTIFICATION
Make sure you understand what notices, professional input and certification are required before starting construction.
🏡 DON’T CONFUSE A GARDEN ROOM WITH A GARDEN HOME
A shed, gym or home office and a habitable dwelling are not the same thing. If it’s being built as somebody’s home, build it to the correct residential standard.
⚠️ OUR BIGGEST ADVICE
Don’t spend €50,000 or €100,000 on a building first and ask the questions afterwards.
Check the site. Check the exemption. Check the services. Check the Building Regulations. Then build.
At Éire Log Cabins, we’re delighted to see these new exemptions finally arrive, but we also want to see them done properly.
Ireland doesn’t need “beds in sheds” — it needs warm, safe, energy-efficient, properly constructed small homes suitable for the Irish climate. 🇮🇪🏡
If you’re considering a 32–45m² garden home and aren’t sure where to start, send us a message and we’ll help point you in the right direction.
