Home Office

I am considering seeting up an office in my apartment building which is located on a street in dublin city centre. there is a shop below the apartments and there are accountants and tax advisers operating in offices beside it. Does anyone know whether there are restrictions on a person using their windows for advertising with window graphics or where i would find this information. thanks in advance

I dont know the laws but there are restrictions on using apartments for offices.

Management company might be a starting point.

I am in charge of the management company and own the apartment so that should be ok. Its more that im concerned that dublin city council might have a problem with the advertising

...and the commercial rates
and the planning requirements
and the fire regulations

Other issues that DCC might have a concern with in relation to home office.

Deirdre D said:

I am in charge of the management company and own the apartment so that should be ok. Its more that im concerned that dublin city council might have a problem with the advertising

Click to expand...

Hi Deirdre

Assuming there is more than one other apartment in separate ownership than the other members may have a negative input if they take the view that this change of use and/or the advertisement will devalue their properties.
Depending on the business there may be a requirement for a variation to the building's insurance policy or at best declaring the change of use to them to avoid voiding any later claims by yourself or other members.
Separately the terms of reference set for members of the management company may preclude their using the apartments for commercial uses.


I think yours is a special case and you need to take professional advice before proceeding with it.
For example I know that Dun Laoghaire Rathdown also supports Home Based Economic Activities.
However this requires a grant of planning permission - its definitely not exempted development.
You have to separately apply to have the part of the premises you use for your business reviewed by the Rates Officer and you are obliged to pay rates.
I have had experience of dealing with the planning matters arising from a similar situation for a private house, although not for an apartment.

That having been said, "home based economic activity" appears to be a permissible use under both Z1 and Z2 zoning in the Dublin City Development Plan, these being:

Residential (General) - Zone Z1
Residential (Conservation Areas) – Zone Z2
See pp 103-104 of [broken link removed]

Other Objectives of the Development Plan, Variations of the Plan, Local Area Plans, Architectural Conservation Area designation, etc., may conflict with this.
Some forms of advertising are considered exempted development in the relevant section of http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2001/en/si/0600.html
This may not apply to your particular case - the definition of "business premises" being particularly relevant.
You may also be affected by other planning legislation, general legislation, licensing requirements, etc.

Because this is an apartment not a private house you may also need to obtain a revised fire safety certificate for your apartment.
This may require other compliance issues to be addressed for example under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work legislation.

HTH

ONQ

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