The necessity of obtaining a permit for electric vehicle charging units in site and apartment parking lots has been eliminated. Furthermore, the installation of rainwater and greywater systems has become mandatory in certain sizes of new buildings.

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change made amendments in the Planned Areas Zoning Regulation. With the Regulation Amending the Planned Areas Zoning Regulation prepared by the General Directorate of Professional Services and published in the Official Gazette, updates have been made in various topics such as rainwater and greywater use in buildings, electric vehicle charging units, and barrier-free children’s playgrounds. Accordingly, the installation of rainwater and greywater systems will be mandatory in private and public buildings of a certain size and type built after January 1, 2026. Greywater (water obtained from showers, bathtubs, and hand-face sinks) will be treated and used only in toilet cisterns. Greywater systems will be mandatory in lodging facilities with over 200 beds, shopping centers with a construction area exceeding 10,000 square meters, and public buildings with a construction area larger than 30,000 square meters. This will achieve an annual water saving of approximately 4 million cubic meters in buildings, aiming to save water equivalent to Mogan Lake within 1.5 years. GREEN CERTIFICATE MANDATORY After the update, new public buildings constructed after 2026 with a total construction area exceeding 10,000 square meters will be required to have a Green Certificate (YeS-TR). This will lead to an annual energy saving of approximately 600 million kilowatt-hours, equivalent to the energy produced by the Keban Dam in one month. The amendment will result in saving 50 million kilograms of greenhouse gases equivalent to 8 acres of forest area and 800 million TL. Green Certificate buildings will prevent economic losses through the use of recyclable materials. The construction of more comfortable and healthy structures will be achieved through the use of environment-friendly, low chemical and radiation-emitting materials. According to the changes, at least 4% of parking spaces measuring 2,500 square meters or more will be required to be designated for the use of disabled children. These spaces will be designed for all children to play together, not just disabled children, in the same area. REVISIONS TO BUILDING PERMITS AND APPROVAL DOCUMENTS The Building Permit and Building Use Permit Forms will now include information on whether there are facilities such as electric vehicle charging units, solar energy systems, wind energy systems, and cogeneration. This way, property owners and potential buyers will be informed about which systems are present in a building through documents, ensuring that relevant inspections continue smoothly. CHARGING UNIT REGULATION The installation of charging units for electric vehicles in residential areas will be facilitated. The electrical installation required for the installation of charging units in site and apartment parking lots will not be subject to a permit. With the regulation, processes such as project submission and signatures for the installation of electric vehicle charging units will be simplified. PRINCIPLES RELATED TO WIND TURBINES New standards will be introduced in the regulation regarding the installation of wind turbines. Accordingly, the total area covered by the concrete base carrying the wind vane on the floor and below, and the surface area of the tower carrying the wind vane will be calculated as the construction area, and the building permit fee will be determined by multiplying this area with the square meter unit price. A database will be prepared to ensure that materials used in building construction and resulting waste are used in a way that minimizes harm to the environment. Studies will be conducted for Buildings’ Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The carbon footprint of buildings’ life cycle will be calculated and limited. Data related to building life cycles will be transferred to digital platforms. Three-dimensional building models will be visualized and managed, allowing permit and approval processes to be carried out digitally. SHARING FROM THE MINISTRY Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum shared the following on his social media account regarding the regulation: “We have taken a new, strong step towards a goal of making people’s lives easier and achieving a greener environment. Our ‘Planned Areas Zoning Regulation’ published in the Official Gazette will prioritize recycling and environmentally friendly savings in public buildings, contributing significantly to our 2053 Net Zero Emission and Green Transformation goals.”