Planting, garden waste and boundary walls

Hugum að gróðri að lóðamörkum – skyldur lóðareigenda

Tree growth that extends beyond the boundaries of a plot can be obstructive and even hazardous to pedestrians, cyclists or motorists, and can obscure traffic signs, street names and even lighting. The Building Regulations, section 7.2.2, states the following regarding trees and shrubs: „The occupier of a plot is obliged to keep the growth of trees and shrubs on the plot within the plot boundaries. If the landowner fails to do so, and where the growth of trees or shrubs extends beyond the boundary onto streets, pavements or open spaces, the highway authority or the manager of the area is authorised to remove the part that causes a nuisance or is unsightly, at the landowner's expense, following prior notice.“

Það sem þarf að hafa í huga er að:

• Umferðarmerki séu sýnileg
• Gróður byrgi ekki götulýsingu
• Gangandi og hjólandi eigi greiða leið um gangstíga
• Þar sem vélsópar og snjóruðningstæki fara um má lágmarkshæð gróðurs yfir stígum ekki vera lægri en 2,8 metrar
• Yfir akbrautum má gróður ekki slúta niður fyrir 4,2 metra og gildir þessi hæðarregla einnig þar sem sorphirðubílar, slökkvilið og sjúkrabílar þurfa að komast eftir stétt eða stíg

Garðaúrgangur – gjaldfrjáls móttaka á Sorpu

Sorpa tekur endurgjaldslaust á móti garðaúrgangi frá einstaklingum á sínum endurvinnslustöðvum, in Hafnarfjörður to Breiðhellu. Samkvæmt skilgreiningu Sorpu þá falla eftirfarandi undir flokkinn garðaúrgangur: illgresi, arfi, blómaafskurður,grænmeti, laufblöð, plöntuleifar og pottablóm. Einnig er tekið gjaldfrjálst á móti trjábolum og trjágreinum, grasi og heyi en sérstakir gámar eru fyrir þessa flokka. Athugið að í flokka mega einungis fara ofangreind efni án aðskotahluta og annars efnis eins og plasts.

Fencing and screen walls

Certain rules apply to such works, which are worth familiarising yourself with before you begin. You must consider the property boundaries, whether it is the boundary with your neighbour's plot or with the local authority land. It is permitted to erect a shelter wall and fences up to a height of 1.8m, provided they are set back from the boundary line by at least 1.8m. Permission must be sought from the Hafnarfjörður building control officer if a railing comes closer to the plot boundary than its height is.. Consent from neighbours or adjacent landowners for fencing on or near the boundary of the plot must also be submitted to the Hafnarfjörður Building Control Officer. When constructing fences and other screen walls, residents are also encouraged to consider whether such works might affect traffic safety by obstructing visual connections to the street and pavement.

On the website of the Infrastructure Agency (www.mannvirkjastofnun.is/The building regulations can be found under the 'Laws and Regulations' tab. Particular attention is drawn to section 2.3.5 for those considering works on their plot, which covers, amongst other things, on-site works, retaining walls, fences and garden sheds.

Umhverfis- og skipulagsþjónusta Hafnarfjarðar

Garðyrkjustjóri Hafnarfjarðar