Development Contribution Payment

Development Contribution Scheme 2026-2030

The Council operates a Development Contribution Scheme to part fund the provision of public infrastructure and facilities in the county.  All planning permissions are subject to this scheme, including permissions granted on appeal by An Coimisiún Pleanála, unless exempt in accordance with the provisions of the scheme.
These rates of development contributions are payable to the Council in respect of the three classes of public infrastructure referred to under Article 18 of the Development Contribution Scheme 2026 – 2030, adopted by the County Council at its meeting held on 8th December 2025.  An additional contribution is payable to Irish Water in respect of public infrastructure provided by them.  Developers should contact Irish Water directly in this regard.
It should be noted that from 1st January 2026, the Development Contribution Rates shall be as follows:

Planning and Development (Act 2000) Regulations have resulted in changes to the   Development Contribution Scheme 2026-2030 as follows (for applications lodged on or after 27/7/2026): 

• The existing exemption for extension of the principal dwelling will be increased from 40 square metres to 45 square metres (Section 23 (a) of the current scheme)
• A new exemption will provide for extension via the addition of dormer roof boxes and roof lights on the principal dwelling. 
• A new exemption for an auxiliary habitable dwelling will allow for the addition of a detached auxiliary dwelling to the rear of the principal house, linked to the services of the principal house, which may be between 32 square metres and 45 square metres.   
• The existing exemption for a structure in the back garden (such as a shed, store, home office or gym) will be increased from 25 square metres to 30 square metres. 

For further information on these regulations, please visit:

Planning Permission | Fingal County Council

Applications for the Temporary Development Contribution Waiver Scheme have now closed

For those who have an approved application under the scheme, please note the below:

• Fingal County Council have issued letters in relation to the closing arrangements of the scheme to all Developers whom have one or more incomplete units under their scheme approval. All questions in these regards should be sent to [email protected] .
   

Financial Securities

To secure the satisfactory completion of development authorised by a planning permission, Fingal County Council may attach a condition requiring the lodgement of a financial security/Bond prior to the commencement of development or at such other time as specified in the planning permission. The financial security/Bond may comprise a cash deposit or an insurance bond approved by Fingal County Council.

The financial security/Bond shall be retained by Fingal County Council until all works and obligations secured by the relevant planning condition have been completed to the satisfaction of Fingal County Council.

For planning permissions receiving final grant on or after 18 September 2025, the following minimum securities shall apply::

Tree/Hedgerow Bond

A tree or hedgerow bond may be required by condition of a planning permission where the development site contains trees or hedgerows of significant amenity, landscape, biodiversity or ecological value.

Prior to the commencement of development, the applicant shall lodge a tree or hedgerow bond with Fingal County Council where required by a condition of the planning permission. The purpose of the bond shall be to secure the protection, retention and maintenance of those trees and hedgerows identified for retention within the approved planning documentation throughout all phases of the development.

The bond shall be retained for the period specified in the planning permission and may be retained for such additional period as Fingal County Council considers necessary where construction-related damage, defects or adverse impacts are identified.

The amount of the bond shall be determined by Fingal County Council having regard to the number, quality, condition, amenity value and replacement value of the trees or hedgerows concerned.

A tree or hedgerow bond shall not be considered for release until:

(a) a post-construction arboricultural assessment has been submitted to Fingal County Council by a suitably qualified Arborist engaged by the applicant;

(b) the assessment confirms that all trees and hedgerows approved for retention have been protected and retained in accordance with the planning permission and approved arboricultural documentation;

(c) all remedial measures and recommendations identified in the assessment have been completed; and

(d) a Certificate of Effective Completion signed by the Arborist has been submitted to and accepted by Fingal County Council.

The release of a tree or hedgerow bond shall be subject to the written confirmation of Fingal County Council that the requirements of the planning permission and any associated conditions relating to tree and hedgerow protection have been complied with in full.

Release of Financial Security

A request for the release of a Cash Security or Insurance Bond shall be made in writing to Fingal County Council by the developer, owner, or their authorised agent. Applications for the release of financial securities should be submitted to [email protected]

Upon receipt of a request for release, Fingal County Council shall undertake such inspections and assessments as it considers necessary to determine whether the relevant works have been completed to its satisfaction.

The Cash Security or Insurance Bond shall not be released until:

(a) all roads, footpaths, public lighting, drainage infrastructure, water services, and associated services required under the planning permission have been completed to the satisfaction of Fingal County Council and taken in charge by Building Control; and

(b) all public open space, landscaping, amenity areas and associated infrastructure required under the planning permission have been completed to the satisfaction of Fingal County Council and taken in charge by Parks Planning.

Where a development or estate is intended to remain in private ownership and is not proposed for taking in charge, the Cash Security or Insurance Bond may only be released where Fingal County Council is satisfied that all infrastructure, services, open spaces and associated works have been completed to a standard that would otherwise be acceptable for taking in charge. The decision to release all or any part of the security shall be at the sole discretion of Fingal County Council

For all queries relating to Financial Security, including insurance bonds templates, please contact B%6fn%[email protected] " rel="nofollow"> [email protected] .

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Development Contribution Scheme 2026-2030

Development Contribution Scheme 2021-2025

Development Contribution Scheme 2016-2020

Cessation of Metro North Development Contribution Scheme

Supplementary Contribution Schemes