New zoning plan in Reykjavík allows homeowners to build row houses and convert garages into apartments

Free balcony designs and row houses in gardens are now part of a new zoning plan in the Hlíðahverfi neighborhood of Reykjavík. This plan allows homeowners to convert garages into additional apartments and opens up the possibility of building row houses in the gardens of several apartment complexes.

The zoning regulations cover Hlíðahverfi, Háteigshverfi, and Öskjuhlíðar neighborhoods, with similar plans already established for Árbæ and Breiðholt, while others are under development. The new zoning plan aims to simplify the application process for residents and homeowners wishing to make changes to their properties. It includes provisions for neighborhood protection as well as the development of public spaces instead of parking areas.

Currently, there are several construction projects underway, including student apartments and offices, in places like Heklureit and Bolholt. For the first time in 80 years, significant changes are being made to areas previously untouched for decades.

Existing criteria also permit the addition of balconies to homes that lack them, and ready-made designs for these balconies are being provided free of charge. The plan specifies how roof heights can be modified and what requirements must be met for garage conversions.

In the future, potential changes could also see the Miklabraut road being transformed into a tunnel extending westward to the National Hospital, a project outlined in the transportation agreement valid through 2040. This zoning update marks a significant shift for local residents, as it introduces new building possibilities in previously static areas.