Neighbours contact Council over illegal satellite dishes

Galway City Council has issued a warning to householders that it is illegal to erect satellite dishes on the front of houses – and they can face hefty fines if prosecuted.

Technically, a person who breaches planning regulations and ignores enforcement notices can be fined up to €12.7 million, and a further €12,700 daily for each day the offence continues.

Realistically though, the fines imposed by courts generally range from €1,500 to €2,000 plus costs.

A Council spokesperson said that in general, satellite dishes are not a problem – “just not on the front of your house”.

“We have had a huge number of queries recently in relation to satellite dishes, not only people looking to put one up, but also from neighbours wondering what the situation is,” the spokesperson said.

He explained that dishes are generally permitted, as long as that are smaller than one metre in diameter and are not erected on the front of houses.

It is not permitted either to erect a dish on the front roof slope of a house, or higher than the highest part of the roof of the house.

In the case of apartments, flats, commercial premises and Protected Structures or if the building is located within an Architectural Conservation Area, planning permission is required.

“In these situations, satellite dishes that do not meet the criteria specified or are erected without planning permission on apartments or ‘Protected Structures’ are considered unauthorised.

“Enforcement action can be taken against the owner/occupier of the dwelling on which an unauthorised satellite dish is located, possible even up to having to pay the full costs associated with investigation, enforcing and rectifying the breach of the planning code.

“In addition, failure to comply with an Enforcement Notice can result in substantial fines and, where very serious breaches occur, may result in criminal prosecution,” the Council warned.