The divisional structure covers a defined area that forms a comprehensive unit, such as a neighbourhood, a neighbourhood section, a street or a cluster of buildings. It contains provisions on building permits, the design of buildings and the completion of the surroundings.

The divisional structure sets the terms for:

• The shape of the settlement and the environment, such as the size, location and use of houses.

• The overture of the settlement, such as the design and layout of buildings and material use.

• Parks and public spaces such as streets, squares, playgrounds and parks.

Building permits and construction permits shall be in accordance with the plan. The general rule is that building permits shall be based on a divisional plan, but permits may in certain cases be based on a main plan. For further information on building permits, please visit the website of the Housing and Construction Authority and here on the website.

A neighbourhood plan is a simplified design of a subdivision that can be worked for built neighbourhoods, where there is no need to go into extensive construction. A neighbourhood plan does not have the same requirements as a conventional subdivision for presentation and terms. It has more scope for setting general rules and instructions for building permits, such as modifications and extensions.

Type of divisional structure

• The municipality is responsible for the preparation of a divisional plan. The municipality's planning committee is responsible for the preparation of a divisional plan under the authority of the municipality.

• The owner or developer may ask the local authority to make or change the subdivision plan at its expense. By accepting the proposal, the local authority makes the subdivision plan its own and is responsible for its enforcement.

• The divisional structure shall take effect once it has been approved by the local authority and published in the Official Journal.

• The municipality pays for the creation of a subdivision plan, except if the landowner or the developer is authorized to do so at his own expense.

The process of a subdivisional structure

Instructions in Icelandic

• Yfirlit yfir ferli deiliskipulags

• Nýtt deiliskipulag

• Breyting á deiliskipulagi

• Lýsing fyrir skipulagsáætlun

• Grenndarkynning, óveruleg breyting á deiliskipulagi

• Grenndarkynning, byggingar- og framkvæmdaleyfi í þegar byggðu hverfi

• Dæmi um auglýsingar deiliskipulagstillagna

• Yfirferð deiliskipulagsgagna fyrir skipulagsfulltrúa og ráðgjafa