Log cabins: What are the proposed laws? How much do they cost?

James Cox

Planning rules on cabins and modular homes in back gardens could be relaxed as part of Government efforts to tackle housing supply issues.

What are the current laws around cabins?

Under current regulations, extensions of up to 40sq m to a home can be built without planning permission, whereas habitable structures of this size must have approval if they are not attached to the home itself.

If your garden log cabin is no bigger than 25 square meters in size and 4 meters in height, then you won’t need planning permission, given that you have another 25 square meters of free space on your garden property, with the sides and rear being included.

What are the new proposals?

Under a proposal being developed in the Department of Housing, planning exemptions are being considered which would exempt free-standing modular or cabin-style homes from planning permission.

Minister of State at the Department of Housing John Cummins has met officials in recent days on whether some types of exempted developments could be fast tracked against the backdrop of planning laws passed last year.

However, Mr Cummins said he does not view proposals to relax planning rules on cabins and modular homes in back gardens as a solution to the rental crisis.

“I don't see this as a rental measure. I see it as facilitating intergenerational movement,” he told RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne.

“All of these matters are something that will have to be discussed as part of the public consultation that we'll have in relation to this. I also look forward to engaging with members of the Opposition in the context of the Joint Oireachtas Committee.

“All of these will have to be discussed as part of the public consultation that we will have in relation to this. Personally, I don't see this as a rental measure. I see it as the ability of people to be able to have that intergenerational movement that will allow people to live independently.”

How could it help?

Comparisons have been made to the likes of Vancouver and California, where log cabins have been successfully used to help with housing shortages.

Progress Ireland, an independent think tank, has suggested measures to support such dwellings could deliver up to 350,000 additional homes.

What are the costs?

There are varying costs and options, and a number of different Irish companies who supply residential log cabins.

However, average prices for a two-bedroom log cabin range from €30,000 to €42,000.

Larger residential cabins range from €50,000 to €80,000.