Street and square vendors
Street vending refers to sales activities in public spaces such as squares, streets, sidewalks, and parks.
How do I apply for a street vending permit?
You need a street vending permit from Reykjavík City to engage in selling on municipal land in Reykjavík.
Street vendors are divided into four categories:
- Individual market sales
- Daytime and nighttime vending in the city center
- District vending
- Summer vending
Courses, teaching, presentations, exhibitions, events, and minor charity sales, such as raffles held by children and young people, whether in stalls, cars, containers, or in the open air are not considered vending in streets and squares, but you may need to get a usage permit for these activities. Learn more at www.afnotaleyfi.is
Special applications must be made for vending permits for city festivals, such as June 17, Culture Night, and Reykjavík Pride from the Department of Culture & Tourism, but these events do not fall under permits for street vending - menning@reykjavik.is.
City Viewer
An overview of street and square vending areas can be found in the City Viewer.
Where do you apply for a street vending permit?
You can apply for a street vending permit online using My Pages on the City of Reykjavík website.
The rental fee is charged through the online bank of the My Pages account holder. Organizations that apply must have an account in their own name. The rental fee is charged through the applicant's online bank.
How long does processing of applications take?
- Market vending for individuals – 1 week.
- Daytime and nighttime vending area – up to 2 months.
- District area – up to 2 months.
- Summer vending – up to 2 months.
Permit conditions
The permit holder must always leave the vending area clean. Possible damage to municipal land and road areas will be repaired by the Department of Environment & Planning at the expense of the relevant permit holder. Street vending permits cannot be transferred or subleased.
Street vendors must not compromise the safety and accessibility of pedestrian, bicycle, and driving traffic. The sidewalk must have an unobstructed path of at least 1.5 m and the distance from the entrance of an operator with a comparable product must be at least 20 m.
The activities must not cause noise or light pollution in or near the designated area. The permit holder may neither engage in street vending anywhere other than covered by the permit nor take up more space than defined by the permit.
The load-bearing capacity and cobblestone patterns of sidewalks and squares also have a major impact on allocation, as these areas are not made for heavy weights and/or the movement of large vehicles. The City of Reykjavík is therefore committed to making the stalls lighter and to using the best method in each case to get them to and from the vending area without the stalls being pulled by a car or other heavy towing vehicle.
How much does the permit cost?
The permit fee for street vending is non-refundable after a permit has been issued.
Street vending at June 17, Reykjavík Pride, and Culture Night
Permits for street vending are not valid for festivals that take place in the city center, such as June 17, Reykjavík Pride, and Culture Night.
The Events Team of the Department of Culture & Tourism at the City of Reykjavík handles licensing for these festivals. You can apply for a permit by emailing menning@reykjavik.is
Daytime and nighttime vending in the city center
The operating year for daytime and nighttime vending starts on May 15 each year, but you can apply from February 15 each year using My Pages on the City of Reykjavík website. The minimum period of an issued permit is two months.
Daytime vending is permitted from 9 am to 9 pm.
The following areas within Reykjavík’s city center are defined as daytime vending areas:
- Skólavörðuholt and Frakkland - 2 vending areas (A, C and D). All towing vehicle traffic is prohibited at stand 2.
- Mæðragarður - 2 vending areas (A, C, and D)
- Hlemmur - 2 vending areas (A, C, and D)
- Arnarhóll - 1 vending area (A and C)
- Kalkofnsvegur - 1 vending area (A and C)
- Vitatorg - 4 vending areas (A, C, and D)
- Bernhöftstorfa - 2 vending areas (A and C). All towing vehicle traffic is prohibited.
Nighttime vending is permitted from 10 pm to 5 am.
- You can apply for a vending permit for nighttime vending facilities at Lækjartorg. There are 4 vending areas. The area may have vending facilities in categories A, C, D, and E.
Summer vending
Summer vending takes place in designated areas in public parks. Anyone is allowed to apply for permits for summer vending, regardless of the number of annual permits.
Vending is permitted from May 15 to September 15.
Summer vending is only permitted for vending facilities in categories A and C.
District area
Permits are granted for daytime vending in district areas. Vending is permitted from 9 am to 9 pm.
Up to 5 vendors may be permitted at the same time in the same district area. The main rule for sales vehicles is that they must be located in parking lots and the vending facilities must be at least 50 m away from similar vending facilities.
You must apply for a permit for a minimum of 3 months.
A district area may have vending facilities in categories A, B, C, D, E, and F. Sales facilities must fit in well with the local environment and be approved by the Street and Square Vending Committee.
Any other questions?
Inquiries and requests for further information can be sent to torgsala@reykjavik.is