Design Standards for Apartments, Guidelines for Planning Authorities

Mr. James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Mr. John Cummins, TD, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning have issued the Design Standards for Apartments, Guidelines for Planning Authorities, pursuant to Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.

The Design Standards for Apartments, Guidelines for Planning Authorities for Planning Authorities set national planning policy and guidance in relation to the planning and development of apartment schemes to take account of current Government policy and economic, social and environmental considerations. The Guidelines outline policies relating to:

• Apartment mix;
• Internal space standards for different types of apartments;
• Dual aspect ratios;
• Floor to ceiling heights;
• Apartments to stair/lift core ratios;
• Storage spaces; and
• Amenity spaces including balconies/patios.

The Guidelines replace the Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities, last issued in 2023 (and all preceding updates), issued as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Act, which are now revoked.

The National Planning Framework – First Revision (2025), projects a need to plan for approximately 50,000 additional households per annum to 2040, and reaffirms the Government's commitment to compact growth. Fulfilling these commitments will require a substantial increase in housing output of all types, and in particular the delivery of apartments at central and accessible urban locations.

Viability presents an ongoing challenge to housing delivery. This is particularly relevant for the delivery of apartments, where a considerable gap has emerged between the cost of delivering apartment development and comparable general housing market prices.

• The planning process, along with other sources of regulation and related input cost, must also play its part in ensuring that, while appropriate standards for accommodation are set from a long-term planning and sustainable development perspective, such standards are compatible with securing housing supply in our major urban areas that is economically viable to develop bearing in mind average household incomes and levels of affordability in terms of rent and/or mortgages. The overall purpose of the Guidelines is to strike an effective regulatory balance, ensuring that apartment development meets the needs of society in terms of standards and quality, while promoting an increased level of output overall.

Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) provides that planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála shall have regard to Ministerial Guidelines and shall apply any specific planning policy requirements (SPPRs) of the Guidelines, within the meaning of Section 28 (1C) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), in the performance of their functions.