Derelict Sites can have a negative impact on the social, visual and commercial aspects of a neighbourhood. South Dublin County Council investigates all reports of dereliction and takes enforcement action, in accordance with the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act), in an effort to have the dereliction abated.
A Derelict Site is defined in the Act as any land which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question because of -
(a) The existence of structures which are in a ruinous, derelict or dangerous condition
(b) The neglected, unsightly or objectionable condition of the land or any structures on the land
(c) The presence of litter, rubbish, debris or waste on the land.
The Act places a duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become or continue to be a derelict site.
The Council is required by the Act to:
(a) Maintain a Derelict Sites Register
(b) Make the Register available for public inspection
(c) Take all reasonable steps to ensure that any land situated in this administrative area does not become or continue to be a derelict site.
Under the Act, the Council has the authority to:
(a) Serve a Notice on the owner/occupier specifying works to be carried out to prevent or abate dereliction
(b) Acquire by agreement or compulsorily any derelict site situated within its administrative area
(c) Impose an annual levy on any derelict site, which is considered to be urban land, within its administrative area which stands entered on the Derelict Sites Register on the 1st January of that year. From January 2020, the levy shall be 7% of the market value of the land/site.
To report a derelict site, contact the Enforcement and Licensing Section by email at info@sdublincoco.ie or by telephone at 01 4149000.
