Q&A for the Planning Officer

• Anyone interested in Reykjavík City planning can submit inquiries to the Planning Officer.
• Property owners, lot holders, or their advisors, can apply for changes to the municipal plan, new land-use plans, or changes to existing land-use or neighborhood plans.
• If advisors apply on behalf of a property owner or lot holder, they must specify the owner/lot holder in the application and provide written authorization.

• They can concern operations and use. The municipal plan addresses land use, such as residential areas, open spaces, or various commercial zones. Land-use plans may or may not address operations, but often provide more detailed descriptions of activities in specific buildings.
• New or changed land-use plans for specific areas, neighborhoods, or districts.
• A change to the municipal plan.
• Increased building volume, raising buildings, or altering lots.
• Changes to and location of specific operations.
• Demolition of buildings and other structures.
• Changes to buildings, such as balconies, dormer windows, sunrooms, etc.
• Changes to the number or arrangement of parking spaces.

An inquiry to the Planning Officer can be a request for information about compliance with current plans or the office's position on changes to the municipal plan, land-use/neighborhood plans, lots, or lot divisions, without submitting complete drawings.

If the office responds positively to the inquiry, you can follow up by submitting a formal application if required. A positive response to an inquiry doesn't guarantee final approval, as the application process and public presentation may affect the final decision.

An application to the Planning Officer can be a formal request to change the municipal plan, create a new land-use plan, modify existing land-use/neighborhood plans, or change or divide a lot. Applications must include complete documentation.

Inquiries and applications are presented at the Planning Officer's weekly Permit Review Meeting once the processing fee has been paid. The fee notice appears in your online bank. Payment must be received by 2 p.m. on Sunday for your request to be reviewed at the Planning Officer's next permit review meeting. Permit review meetings usually take place on Tuesdays.

After submitting an inquiry or application, the sender receives an automated response about payment.

The applicant is notified by email or letter about the case's status and any additional fees for ongoing work or notification procedures. Fees for changes to the municipal plan or land-use plan must be paid before the proposal is advertised. Development permit fees must be paid before approval and issuance.

• A change to the municipal plan: Apply for changes to the municipal plan through the Planning Officer's office. When assessing whether a change to the municipal plan is significant or minor, we consider if it substantially affects land use or likely impacts individuals or large areas.
• New land-use plan: If an application involves fundamental changes to an area's land-use plan, such as land use, cityscape, or overall character, create a new land-use plan and repeal the old one if one exists. If no land-use plan exists, develop a new one from scratch in line with the current municipal plan. When a new land-use plan is approved, the relevant information enters a formal advertising process.
• Significant changes to land-use plans/neighborhood plans: The Planning Officer's office evaluates whether a change is significant or minor on a case-by-case basis. When assessing whether a change to a land-use plan is minor, officials consider how much the proposal deviates from the area's current use, Floor Area Ratio, appearance and form. Significant changes to land-use plans undergo a formal advertising process.
• Minor changes to land-use plans/neighborhood plans: Minor changes to land-use plans are notified to nearby property owners and tenants who may be affected.
• Building permits: When applying for a building permit in an existing neighborhood without a land-use plan, the Building Commissioner's office refers the matter to the Planning Officer. The Planning Officer then decides whether to notify neighbors about the application.

Blueprints of buildings can be obtained from the Blueprint Archive and at the Reykjavík Service Center by sending an email to info@reykjavik.is

You can access municipal and land-use plans on Reykjavík City's urban planning viewer.