Significant Amendments Introduced To The Planned Areas Zoning Regulation

The Regulation Amending the Zoning Regulation for Planned Areas (“Regulation”), published in the Official Gazette dated 1 July 2026 and numbered 33297, introduces several amendments to the Zoning Regulation for Planned Areas. The amendments include significant changes concerning construction license procedures, construction co-efficiency calculations, elevator requirements, modification works in existing buildings and the conversion of certain office buildings into residential use.

I.       Elevator Requirements Have Been Revised

The Regulation clarifies how the number of storeys should be calculated for the purposes of determining whether an elevator is mandatory.

Accordingly, except for detached single-dwelling residential buildings, basement floors containing an independent unit, common area or ancillary space will be included in the storey count. By contrast, basement floors consisting solely of technical service areas, however, will not be taken into account.