Planning of port areas

Planning of port areas

It is the municipality in question that has the planning authority in each port area, but the port authority must give approval for changes in the organisation of port areas and construction. Therefore, applications for changes in the zoning and development of structures in port areas must be sent to the planning representative of Faxaflói Ports, who submits it to the Port Authority for review, before an application is sent to the municipality. Local planning plans must be in accordance with the master plan of the municipality, but the plan of the port area shall also be based on the needs of the port as stated in the Ports Act No. 61/2003:

Chapter II. Planning of port areas and port facilities
Article 5. Planning of the port area and permits for construction.
The organisation of the port area shall be based on the needs of the port. The Port Authority makes a proposal for the planning of a port area to the planning committee or local government after consultation with [Vegagerðin] on its preparation. The relevant local authority issues a construction permit for new port facilities. No construction work may be carried out in the port area without the approval of the relevant port authority. If a construction permit is not used within two years of its grant, it will lapse.

Further information on planning in general and the current local plan can be found on the Planning Agency’s website:  http://www.skipulag.is/