Building permit
To build or modify a home, you must obtain a building permit from the building official in Garðabær. The permit is granted when all conditions are met, and only then can construction begin.

When is a building permit required?
When is a building permit not required?
Minor construction projects do not require a building permit, but some of them do require notification before the work begins. They must always be in accordance with the local plan and building regulations.
Some smaller projects are exempt from building permits and notification requirements as long as they comply with planning.
Examples of such projects:
- Platforms and other ground-level finishing.
- Maintenance of the interior, grounds, fence, parking lot and driveway.
- Retaining walls and fences within certain limits.
- A small house that is not intended for accommodation or residence, with a maximum area of 15 m².
- Installation of receiving dishes, up to 1.2 m in diameter, for the reception of radio or television broadcasts or receiving antennas.
Further information can be found in building regulations, article 2.3.5.
Examples of projects requiring notification:
- New cladding of an already built structure.
- Tents to be used in commercial activities.
- Temporary shelters that are intended to last longer than 4 months.
- Hot and cold tubs or pools in gardens.
- A minor change to the structural structure or fire compartmentation that amounts to less than 5% of the envelope area of a structural element, but never more than 5 m².
- Changes to the laws.
Further information can be found in building regulations, article 2.3.6..
Report implementation
After receiving the notification, the building official confirms that the construction is in accordance with building regulations and planning. Construction may not begin without confirmation.
Supporting documents for notification
- Main drawings. If the change is to a structure that is already built and main drawings are available, it is sufficient to submit the part of the main drawings that shows the changes.
- A report by a licensed designer.
If the building official has not made any comments within 3 weeks of receiving the notification, it is deemed confirmed and construction may then begin.
Inquiry about a building permit
It is a good idea to check whether a building permit is required for planned construction and whether it complies with local zoning regulations.
New construction and modifications
- Email: You can send an email to bygg@gardabaer.isThe clearer the query, the clearer the answers.
- Phone hours: You can book an appointment with a building official by calling Garðabær's customer service by phone. 525 8500.
Subdivision plan
You can check whether a project complies with the applicable zoning plan by sending an email to planning@gardabaer.is and include drawings as an attachment.
If construction requires changes to zoning plan This involves a fee, neighborhood promotion, and a 6–8 week wait.
Office of Building Official
The Building Inspector is responsible for overseeing and monitoring buildings and structures in Garðabær. The main role is to ensure that buildings are safe, healthy and in accordance with laws and regulations.
The office's staff performs a variety of tasks, including:
- Review of applications and master plans.
- Issuance of building permits to build, modify or demolish structures.
- Supervision and audits during construction.
- Registration of real estate and plots of land.
- Provide guidance to home builders and designers on the process and technical aspects.
A building permit is issued by a building official after building plans have been approved and all documentation has been submitted.
Application for a building permit
All registrations for designers, construction managers and master craftsmen are in the Service Portal.
01
Sækja um byggingarleyfi
Owners and the design manager on their behalf can Apply for a building permit at the Garðabær Service Portal when drafts of a work are completed.
The application must be accompanied by:
- main drawings
- announcement of design director
- description of implementation
- consent of co-owners if applicable
02
Umsókn tekin fyrir
The planning and building officer staff reviews the application. The building officer's approval is confirmed by the municipal council. If any data is missing or incomplete, the applicant is notified.
- Meetings are held every Thursday to discuss issues that came in the previous week.
- If the application is approved, the applicant will receive an email with information about next steps, a checklist of what needs to be submitted, and fees.
- If there are any comments, the applicant will receive an email asking them to submit corrections or additions. If this is not received within 12 months, the drawings will be discarded and the case will be dropped.
- If construction requires minor changes to the local plan, a neighborhood presentation must be held before a building permit is granted.
03
Veiting byggingarleyfis
- The owner will receive a request in their online bank for construction fees. The fees must be paid before a building permit is issued.
- A designer needs to submit main plans and special drawings through the Service Portal.
- The owner or design manager needs to building manager's register on the work.
- Construction manager confirms and registers master craftsman on the work.
- Craftsmen accept the appointment injury.
- Scope category 2 and 3: The construction manager must submit life cycle assessment (LCA) and send confirmation to bygg@gardabaer.is.
04
Áfangaúttektir
- Construction managers perform interim audits in civil engineering register.
- A building permit expires if construction has not commenced within 12 months of its issuance. Construction is considered to have commenced upon the first interim assessment.
05
Lokaúttekt
- When construction is complete, the construction manager applies for final audit in the Service Portal.
- A construction representative carries out the work.
- The construction manager and owner will be sent a final inspection certificate.
06
Tilbúið húsnæði!
Reviews
Construction managers perform interim audits and report to civil engineering records.
A building official inspects buildings on all construction stages. We request status reviews and submission of other documents (for example, fire insurance for a rigging inspection (BS2)) should be submitted through the Garðabær Service Portal.
Premises may not be taken into use until the requirements have been met. security audits have been met and the building official has issued a safety audit certificate.
Final review should be carried out within three years from the date of the safety audit certificate. It is permissible to carry out a safety and final audit simultaneously. Requests for safety and final audits are submitted through the Garðabær Service Portal.
For more information about audits, you can send an email to bygg@gardabaer.is.
Applications and forms
Scope categories
When applying for a building permit for structures in scope category 2 or 3, you must submit life cycle assessment (LCA) with an application.
Smaller and simpler construction. There is little risk of damage here and people are not expected to have permanent residence there.
- What's the point? Garages, holiday homes, storage buildings, guest houses, agricultural buildings and extensions to older houses. Also demolition of structures.
- Size limit: Applies to buildings smaller than 2000 square meters and lower than 4 floors.
Traditional, medium-sized buildings where people live or work. These have higher requirements than those in category 1.
- What's the point? Common residential properties (such as single-family homes and apartment buildings), guesthouses, commercial properties, and industrial buildings.
- The premise: The goal is for people to be able to have a permanent residence there and be able to escape on their own if danger arises.
This category includes large, complex, or socially important buildings. The strictest safety and design requirements apply here.
- What's the point? Schools, shopping malls, sports facilities, hospitals and nursing homes.
- The premise: Buildings where large numbers of people gather or where people who cannot save themselves stay (such as in hospitals).