It is, and it's what I'd be most familiar with. A lot of this stuff is driven by central government, but implemented and enforced at a local level. It'd be harmonised throughout the state.
It would mostly tie in with European environmental regulations too.
That's not to say these regulations are flauted from time to time, or if you were out of site on your own estate you could do what you want. But there have been cases of people being told to demolish their houses.
Here's an example [0] where it should be clear why planning laws are needed ...
That seems more like an example of how the "planning laws" are a nuisance and totally out of step with reality. If there were really some harm in the house being there, surely somebody should have challenged it before 10 years. What harm is the court redressing in ordering it torn down?
Fences don't require planning permission nor do temporary structures [0].
If you build a house without seeking permission though they will make you tear it down again.
[0] http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-planning/frequen...