Before Applying for a Usage Permit

When to apply for a usage permit?

If a planned development, event, or other use is on city land, apply for a usage permit. If the use is within private property, obtain approval from the property owner. Note that you must apply for permits from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration for use of highways in urban areas and from Associated Icelandic Ports for use within port boundaries. The City Viewer shows the boundaries of city land, highways in urban areas, and port limits.

What is considered city land?

City land includes all streets, sidewalks, paths, squares, public parks, and open spaces. The City Viewer shows the boundaries of city land, indicating whether the use occurs on private property or city land.

Open City Viewer

What is considered a surface disturbance on city land?

This refers to all surface breaks and other excavation work on city land where the surface of streets, sidewalks, paths, green areas, etc., must be rebuilt. This also includes construction and other infrastructure projects that need to use city land. Note that you must also apply for a usage permit for larger building lots and developments entirely within a property, as such work affects access and traffic flow on city land. Apply for permits through the electronic application system, Rosy.

What falls under events and other uses?

This can include film shoots, outdoor concerts, outdoor meetings, mass walks, sports competitions, and other types of events. Other uses of city land include containers for moving, scaffolding, work lifts, cranes, other work equipment, etc.

Street vending

Street vending fall under the relevant regulation. Direct inquiries to torgsala@reykjavik.is.

Outdoor dining and sidewalk dining

Do you own a restaurant and want to offer your customers outdoor dining? Outdoor dining on city land requires City approval. Without exception, an operating license with outdoor dining is needed to serve outdoors.

Usage permit terms

The main terms of the usage permit relate to the permit holder's obligations regarding

  • Access and approach for all travelers past the development area

  • Value and finishing of the city land surface

  • Safety and work zone signage

  • Duty to inform travelers, residents, and other stakeholders in the immediate environment

Terms for usage permits for surface disturbance and other developments