Building permit - guidelines

Preparation

Submit a building permit application on My Pages of the Housing and Construction Authority (HMS).

Before you start, have the following ready:

• Project information.
• Details about the design manager and lead designer (name, ID number, and email).
• Details about the payer/owner (name, ID number, and email).
• Site plans and relevant attachments.

Login

• Go to hms.is (this is not available on the English site)
• Select Mínar síður (My Pages) at the top right of the page.
• Select Öryggi mannvirkja (Safety of structures) from the drop-down menu.
• Log in with electronic ID.
• Click Byggingarleyfi (Building Permit) on the homepage. You can also find the building permit application under the “Umsóknir” (Applications) tab.

Property information

• Choose the property you want to apply for a building permit for.
• If the applicant is not listed as the property manager, check the box "Ég er ekki skráður eigandi að fasteigninni” (I am not listed as the property owner) and search the property registry.
• Choose the exact property when creating the application. For larger projects, make sure the property number is correct and the project description is detailed in the application description.
• Select the type of building, subtype, development, and main building material.

Application description

The application description must include the following:

• What the application is for?
• Is this an initial request or an amendment request?
• ID number and email of the payer of all application fees
• ID number and email of the owner
• Whether the property registration is accurate (only exact properties can be chosen in the portal, so specify if it concerns a larger part)

Create application

Click Stofna umsókn (Create Application) once everything is filled out. This does not send the application to the Building Commissioner but saves it under the Building Permit tab. Note that you cannot delete a created application.

The person who creates the application is automatically registered as the applicant. It is not possible to select another applicant or payer as the role.

Related parties

Next, the lead designer and design manager must be added to the application.

Do this by clicking the blue plus sign next to "Tengdir aðilar" (Related parties).

No additional parties are added at this stage.

You can change the email when a new related party is added.

When a related party is added to the application, they gain access to the application.

Additional documentation

All accompanying documents must be saved under "fylgigögn" (attachments).

Attachments include blueprints, forms, approvals, reports, and more.

You don't need to save documents under a specific item in the checklist as all documents are saved in the same place.

Important to remember

• Maximum file size is 20MB.
• Choose a descriptive name for the document.
• Consider the quality and resolution of documents.
• Once documents are saved, you cannot delete them from the application.
• A good rule is to have each type of plan together in a PDF file marked: “Útgáfa 1” (Revision 1), “Útgáfa 2” (Revision 2) etc.
• If the file is more than 20 MB, try compressing it or divide it by topic (layout in one file, appearance in another, etc.)
• If you need to change one site plan, all site plans must be uploaded in one file with a new revision number.
• You don’t need to submit signed site plans at this stage. Electronic sealing occurs after approval at the review meeting.
• If applicable, a fire stamp must be present.
• When replacing blueprints after a deferral, submit the entire blueprint package along with a blueprint list showing blueprint numbers, dates, and revision history. Replacement documents are submitted in the same way.
• Detail plans are also submitted in the same way but must include the design manager and designer’s signatures. The signature can be an electronic stamp or watermark.
• When choosing to submit detail plans, a window with a subtype appears. Make sure to choose the correct subtype.

Attachments are delivered to the Building Commissioner the day after electronic submission.

Checklists

The checklist is primarily for the applicant to verify that all materials have been submitted.

Final steps

Click Senda til byggingarfulltrúa (Send to Building Commissioner).

Sometimes, you need to reload the page. Documents are not lost if this is done. As soon as an application is created, it is saved and always accessible in the Byggingarleyfi (Building Permit) tab.

The applicant receives confirmation from the Building Commissioner in Reykjavík when the application is received. If additional information or documents are needed, this will be indicated. The case is reviewed at the Building Commissioner’s permit review meeting once all relevant documents have been received and the project manager’s review is complete.

• Read more about application processing