Planning Officer

The role of the Planning Officer is to provide residents, city councilors, advisors, designers, and contractors with information and advice about planning issues. The Planning Officer handles the proceedings of planning cases and works on behalf of the municipal government.

Process of applications and inquiries to the Planning Officer

Inquiries and applications are presented at the Planning Officer's weekly Permit Review Meeting once the processing fee has been paid.

The Office

The Reykjavík Planning Officer operates according to the Planning Act, planning regulations, and City Council approvals concerning Planning Officer duties, as well as other laws, regulations, and approvals related to planning matters in Reykjavík.

Responsibilities of the Planning Officer

  • Responsible for the administration and handling of planning matters in Reykjavík
  • Ensures the correct procedure for planning matters
  • Receives submissions regarding the City's planning
  • Guides and responds to inquiries about planning matters
  • Sits permanently and acts as a professional advisor at the Planning & Transportation Council meetings, with the right to speak and make suggestions
  • Responsible for preparing and creating the City's planning proposals and managing the work of planning consultants
  • Provides opinions on whether various applications are in accordance with planning
  • Conducts consultations with official commentators according to legal provisions and regulations
  • Conducts consultations with the public and other stakeholders according to legal provisions and regulations
  • Handles presentations, information meetings, and advertisements for descriptions and planning proposals
  • Manages hearing notification procedures for changes to the land-use plan and applications
  • Reviews suggestions and comments received about descriptions and planning proposals and makes response recommendations
  • Facilitates consultations and sends planning documents to the Planning Agency
  • Ensures that planning documents are securely preserved and recorded
  • Publishes notices about planning matters in Section B of the Legal Gazette

Review of planning documents

  • Content, quality, format, and environmental impact
  • Compliance with the environmental impact assessment if it exists for the planning area
  • Ensures the planning committee has access to all documents related to the matter

Development permits

  • Issues development permits for major developments that impact the environment and alter its appearance, such as changing the land with soil or material extraction within city limits, in accordance with the approved Planning Officer procedures
  • Monitors developments requiring development permits, such as whether the development complies with the permit and planning, including the permit's validity period
  • Halts developments that are without a permit or do not comply with the permit or planning as applicable

Staff

The Planning Officer's staff is educated and experienced in planning studies, architecture, and landscape architecture. An interview with the Planning Officer's staff can be requested through the Reykjavík City Service Center by calling 411 1111.

The following work at the office of the Planning Officer:

City Views

City Views is a publication on environment and planning matters issued by the office of the Planning Officer. The main purpose of the publication is to inform city residents about the most important current planning matters. Planning authorities hope that City Views will inform city residents about the priorities regarding the development and appearance of the city, as it is a matter of interest to everyone.

Meeting minutes

Suggestions or comments

The Planning Officer handles the proceedings of planning cases and works on behalf of the municipal government.

  • The Office of the Planning Officer is located at Borgartún 12-14, 105 Reykjavík.

  • Telephone: 411 1111

  • Email: skipulag@reykjavik.is

  • The Planning Officer is Björn Axelsson.

Suggestions and comments should be submitted to the Department of Environment & Planning, Planning Officer, at skipulag@reykjavik.is.