Do You Need Planning Permission to Renovate?

Work inside a house doesn't need planning permission: new kitchens, bathrooms, wiring, moved internal walls. Work that changes the outside can. A rear extension within the exempt limits doesn't. A protected structure is the exception to all of it: there, inside work that affects the building's character needs permission too.

What's exempt, what isn't, and the other paperwork.

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Inside workno permission needed
Protected structuresask first, always
8 weeksfor a planning decision

Usually needs no permission

A converted attic with two rooflights, built-in storage and a timber floor

Any work wholly inside the house.
Replacing windows and doors like for like.
Re-roofing in the same material.
A rear extension inside the exempt limits.
Converting an attic for storage with rooflights to the rear.

Usually does

An extension over the exempt limits, or to the front or side.
A dormer to the front.
Changing the look of the front: render over brick, new window openings.
A new or wider vehicle entrance.
Dividing a house into flats.
Any work affecting the character of a protected structure.

Extension limits are covered on our sister site, houseextension.ie.

The paperwork that isn't planning

Building regulations apply to renovation work whether or not planning does.
A commencement notice is needed for some larger works. Your architect or engineer will say.
A structural engineer for any wall that comes out.
Certificates: Safe Electric for wiring, RGI for gas. Keep them for when you sell.

If you're not sure

Ask the council for a Section 5 declaration. For a fee, they say in writing whether the work is exempt. It is worth having before you spend money on a house you've just bought.