lóðir

Lóðir is the Icelandic term for defined parcels of land that form part of a larger property or a development area. A lóð is a fixed piece of land with clearly delineated boundaries and a cadastral description, intended for use as a building site, garden, or other specified use. In property law, each lóð can be owned, sold, leased, or mortgaged like other real estate, and is registered in the land registry with an official designation.

Creation and subdivision of lóðir typically occur through subdivision of an existing property or through municipal planning processes when land is set aside for development. Subdividing and altering boundaries require official surveying and approval, and the resulting lóðir are recorded in the cadastral records and maps.

Use and development of a lóð are regulated by planning and zoning rules at municipal and, to some extent, national levels. The local planning framework, including aðalskipulag (master plan) and deiliskipulag (detail plan), determines what may be built on a lóð, including land-use, building density, height limits, and setback requirements. Construction on a lóð generally requires a byggingarleyfi (building permit), and new owners may be responsible for costs related to infrastructure connections such as utilities.

Ownership and transfers of lóðir follow Icelandic property law and the land registry system. Taxes, municipal charges, and compliance with planning regulations all apply. The concept of lóð is central to real estate transactions and urban development in Iceland.