Mobile saunas on municipal land
Do you want to offer residents a place to relax in a mobile sauna? A mobile sauna is a portable sauna where guests can unwind and enjoy a sense of well-being. If you want to operate a mobile sauna on municipal land, you must apply for both a use permit and an operating permit.
Where can you operate a mobile sauna?
While some operators use their own lot, you can also apply for a permit to use Reykjavík City municipal land. Municipal land covers all areas outside private lots. This includes green spaces, beaches, sidewalks, parks, squares, and streets.
Approved waterfront locations are available at Ægisíða and Eiðsvík.
We assess other locations on municipal land on a case-by-case basis.
1. Usage permit
First, you must apply for a use permit to operate a mobile sauna on municipal land. You must submit your application for the specific location requested. You can find the use permit for mobile saunas under "Use permit application – containers, various facility creation, film shoots." Please note that we only consider waterfront locations at Ægisíða and Eiðsvík. Use permit fee schedule (a one-year use permit for a mobile sauna on municipal land falls under scope category 1a – significant facility creation).
Documents required with the application
- An drawing and photo of the mobile sauna. The drawing must show all dimensions, the number of seats, and the number of exits.
2. Operating permits
Once you receive the use permit, you must obtain an operating permit from the public health authority. Please note that you must comply with Articles 9 and 10 of Regulation No. 814/2010 on swimming and bathing facilities to obtain an operating permit.
Oceanfront mobile saunas
When determining approved waterfront locations for mobile saunas, we must maintain the highest possible microbiological quality in coastal waters. Therefore, operators must place these facilities far enough from sewage infrastructure to avoid contamination. We also evaluate sea conditions, including whether currents and water depth pose a safety risk.
The available locations account for these factors, and water quality measurements show that water quality is generally good in these areas and safety risks are low. Please note that a sewage infrastructure failure could temporarily make entering the sea unsafe.
Regulation
Mobile saunas are subject to the Regulation on hygiene at swimming and bathing facilities.