04.04.2026 21:00
The procedures and principles for determining Turkey's land and property assets and their usage have been established. Accordingly, a permit will be required for bungalows and vineyard houses, illegal structures will be demolished, and fields will be restored to their original state.
The Regulation on the Protection and Use of Agricultural Lands prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has been published in the Official Gazette and has come into force.
With the regulation, procedures and principles have been established for the determination of soil and land assets, classification and development of agricultural lands, protection of soil, preparation and implementation of soil protection projects, and ensuring the planned use of lands in accordance with the principle of environmentally prioritized sustainable development.
ANNOTATION OF "USE OUTSIDE OF PURPOSE" ON LAND REGISTRATION
Before starting work on plans involving multiple parties and multiple functions for requests for the use of agricultural lands outside their intended purpose, applications will be made to provincial directorates using the Agricultural Lands Evaluation and Information System (TAD Portal) by public institutions and organizations authorized by the planning authorities or by the planners authorized by them.
For requests for the agricultural or non-agricultural use of agricultural lands by real or legal persons, if the land is within the boundaries of the municipality and its vicinity, applications will be made to the municipalities; if it is outside the boundaries of the municipality and its vicinity, applications will be made to the provincial special administrations or other organizations authorized to make plans.
If it is determined in the land survey reports prepared as a result of the land examination that the integrity of agricultural land use has been violated, the request will be rejected, and the issue will not be brought to the agenda of the Soil Protection Board.
SOIL PROTECTION BOARD WILL MEET AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH
Agricultural lands cannot be used for purposes other than those specified in land use plans, except for the exceptions stated in the Soil Protection and Land Use Law. If there are areas allocated for uses outside the intended purpose in areas where land use planning is carried out, these will be evaluated as alternative areas.
The Soil Protection Board, which will meet at least once a month to conduct examinations, evaluations, and monitoring for the protection, development, and efficient use of agricultural lands, to identify emerging negative situations, to protect the soil, and to take corrective measures regarding soil-related issues, will consist of at least 9 members.
While it is essential for the board to meet with the full number of members, in case of necessity, meetings can be held with at least 6 members. For the opinion on the agenda items of the board to be considered positive, at least 6 members must vote positively.
Agricultural lands located in areas designated as large plain protection areas cannot be used for purposes other than those intended under any circumstances. However, if there are no alternative areas and if the board or boards provide a favorable opinion, permission may be granted by the Ministry.
5 DECARES CONDITION FOR VINEYARD HOUSE INTRODUCED
In the new regulation, the definition of "vineyard house" has been clarified, and construction conditions have been tightened. While only one house is allowed to be built on a parcel, a family will have the right to build a vineyard house only once in the same area. A minimum land size of 5 decares will be required for vineyard house construction. The building area cannot exceed 30 square meters. However, buildings with a base area of 30 square meters and two stories will be permitted. In cultivated agricultural lands, an area of 1 decare will be considered sufficient for a building of 30 square meters.
UNAUTHORIZED STRUCTURES WILL BE DEMOLISHED IN A MONTH
It will be mandatory to obtain permission for agricultural buildings and non-agricultural land uses and to comply with soil protection projects. It will be reported to the municipalities or provincial special administrations that all unauthorized structures must be demolished and the land must be made suitable for agricultural production. The relevant municipality or provincial special administration will carry out the demolition within one month and ensure that the land is made suitable for agricultural production. Structures that have been decided to be demolished but are not demolished by the municipality or provincial special administrations within one month may be demolished or have demolition carried out by the Ministry.