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Zoning

Zoning Status (İmar Durumu)

Official municipal document showing what can be built on a parcel and under what conditions. Issued under Turkey's Zoning Law 3194 and the Planned Areas Zoning Regulation.

The Zoning Status document (Turkish: *İmar Durumu* or *İmar Durum Belgesi*) is the official record of what a parcel is zoned for, what kind of structure can be built on it, and the height, storey count, ground-coverage and setback conditions that apply. The Planned Areas Zoning Regulation defines it as: "a document containing the use decisions and construction conditions set out in the Law, the applied zoning plan, plan notes and this Regulation, showing the construction parcel with its boundaries and dimensions."

The zoning status document is a mandatory prerequisite for applying for a building permit (yapı ruhsatı). It states whether the parcel is zoned residential or commercial, which higher-level zoning plans it falls under, its FAR/GCR (KAKS/TAKS) values, front/side/rear setback distances, maximum building height and storey count. For any real estate investor, project feasibility analyst or architect in Turkey, it is the fundamental reference document.

The document is typically valid for 1 year; if construction permits are not obtained within that window, or if the underlying zoning plan is amended, it must be renewed. Fees (harç) are set annually by each municipality and scale with parcel size.

Examples

  • 1.If the zoning status document for Ada 189, Parsel 34 shows FAR 1.50, GCR 0.30, max storeys 5: a building occupying 30% of the parcel can be built, with total floor area of 1.5× the parcel, up to 5 storeys tall.
  • 2.A landowner with a 1,000 m² plot wanting to build housing first applies to their local municipality's Zoning and Urbanism Department to obtain the zoning status document.
  • 3.Zoning status is not issued for unplanned or agricultural-designation (tarla) parcels — these require a local zoning plan (mevzi imar planı) or plan amendment first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I get a zoning status document?expand_more
Apply by petition to the Zoning and Urbanism Department of the municipality your parcel belongs to. In metropolitan areas, the district (ilçe) municipality has jurisdiction. The application requires the title deed, ID copy and cadastral map (çap); representation by proxy is accepted. Some municipalities offer online inquiry via their e-imar systems, but online results are informational only — the official document still comes from the municipality.
How long is the zoning status document valid?expand_more
Typically **1 year**. If a building permit is not obtained within this period, the document must be renewed. Any change to the underlying zoning plan (plan tadilatı) also invalidates an existing document and requires a fresh application.
How much does a zoning status document cost?expand_more
Fees vary by municipality and parcel size, reviewed annually per the Municipal Revenue Law 2464. Check the current fee schedule on your municipality's website or at its Zoning Department.
Can a parcel have a title deed but no buildable zoning?expand_more
Yes. A title deed proves ownership, not construction rights. Parcels designated as farmland (tarla), outside zoning boundaries, or without a local zoning plan may have limited or no construction rights. Always verify zoning status before purchasing land.

Related Terms

FAR (Floor Area Ratio / KAKS / Emsal)GCR (Ground Coverage Ratio / TAKS)Zoning PlanImplementation Zoning PlanBuilding Permit

Sources

  • • Zoning Law no. 3194 (mevzuat.gov.tr)
  • • Planned Areas Zoning Regulation art. 4/1-ll (Definitions)

Look up your parcel's zoning status instantly

Query zoning status with province, district, neighbourhood, block and parcel numbers — free. FAR, GCR, setbacks and plan notes.

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Last updated: 2026-04-24