Operating permits and registrations
The Public Health Authority of Reykjavík oversees the issuance of operating permits for businesses required to have one and confirms registrations according to laws and regulations on sanitary practices, pollution control, and food safety.
Please note that you must obtain confirmation from the Building Commissioner before submitting any permit or registration application to the public health authority.
Operating permit or registration?
What activities require an operating permit and what needs to be registered?
Operating permits
- Businesses that may cause pollution as outlined in Appendix IV of Act No. 7/1998 on Hygiene and Pollution Prevention and Appendix X of Regulation 550/2018 on Industrial Emissions and Pollution Control
- Businesses and institutions providing public services under Act No. 7/1998 on Hygiene and Pollution Prevention and Regulation No. 903/2024 on Hygiene
- Food production and distribution businesses under Act No. 93/1995 on Foodstuffs.
Registration
- Business activities that may cause pollution according to the appendix of Regulation No. 830/2022 on Businesses Subject to Professional Registration under the Act on Hygiene and Pollution Prevention. Such activities must be registered at www.island.is before operations begin. Reykjavík's Public Health Authority confirms these registrations.
Before you apply
Business operators must apply for an operating permit from the Reykjavík Public Health Authority or register their business on island.is before operations begin. Before applying for an operating permit or registration, applicants must obtain confirmation from the Building Commissioner that their premises and operations comply with planning requirements and building regulations. The applicant must also verify that the premises and the operations they intend to conduct comply with the most recently approved building plans.
What is the process?
The application will be processed once a complete application for an operating permit or registration from an operator has been received along with all required supporting documents — including information about the operator, description of activities and their scope, details about internal monitoring systems, confirmation from the Building Commissioner, and any other documentation requested by the health inspector. Please note that application processing will not begin until Reykjavík Public Health has received all required documentation.
The permit process includes an on-site inspection of the applicant's facility to evaluate operations, premises, equipment and other relevant factors.
After the public notice period (when applicable), the application is submitted to Reykjavík Public Health's permit review meeting for final decision. Permit Review Meetings are held weekly on Thursdays.
Public notices
Draft operating permits issued by Reykjavík Public Health must be publicly advertised for four weeks, as required by Regulation No. 550/2018 on Industrial Emissions and Pollution Control and Regulation No. 903/2024 on Hygiene.
Advertisements are posted on the Reykjavík Public Health website. During this review period, anyone may submit substantive comments regarding the proposal to heilbrigdiseftirlit@reykjavik.is.
How can I get an operating permit or confirmation for a registration?
The public health authority sends a notification of permit approval with an invoice for the permit. A operating permit comes into effect and a registration is confirmed once the invoice has been paid. The permit letter is sent to the permit holder. It is prohibited to start work that requires a permit/registration before the operating permit/confirmation comes into effect.
Fee schedule
There's a fee for issuing an operating permit/confirmation as well as supervision fees for health control.
Information about fees can be found in the fees schedule for pollution and health monitoring in Reykjavík City.
Reykjavík Public Health
For inquiries, suggestions, or complaints, please use the form available on My Pages.