Permission for Hen Keeping

Hen keeping is permitted outside of organised agricultural areas, but a licence from the Public Health Commission of the appropriate municipality must be applied for.

The application must include:

• written consent of neighbours who own adjacent land. In addition, if a multi-owner building is involved, the consent of the co-owners shall be available. If the applicant is the tenant, the landlord's consent must be enclosed

• a site plan showing the location of the chickens coop and fenced in area on the lot

Licences are issued for 4 years at a time.

Reykjavik Public Health Authority has prepared guidelines for waste disposal and other activities related to keeping hens in Reykjavik.