A new era for agricultural land: Strict oversight on hobby gardens and unauthorized structures

The Law on Amendments to the Soil Conservation and Land Use Law and Certain Other Laws, numbered 7584 and published in the Official Gazette dated June 20, 2026, contains new provisions regarding the non-agricultural use of farmland. The regulation is of particular interest to hobby garden and similar applications marketed around metropolitan areas through cooperative, membership, or usage-right models.

According to assessments from the real estate sector, the practice of dividing plots of land into small pieces in recent years and presenting them with terms such as "hobby garden," "tiny house area," "vineyard house," or "weekend living space" has created serious legal risks. In such transactions, the legal basis of the title deed status, zoning status, non-agricultural use permit, building permit, and utility subscriptions is of critical importance.

RESTRICTIONS ON COOPERATIVES

Altın Emlak Global Chairman of the Board Mustafa Hakan Özelmacıklı stated that the regulation imposes restrictions on cooperatives subject to the Cooperatives Law No. 1163 regarding the acquisition of ownership or limited real rights on certain agricultural lands. Accordingly, areas designated as "areas where agricultural character will be protected" in 1/5000 and 1/1000 scale zoning plans, as well as off-plan agricultural lands within the scope of Law No. 5403, fall under the scope of the regulation.

The acquisition of ownership or limited real rights in such properties by cooperatives operating for agricultural purposes will be subject to the permission of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Özelmacıklı stated that this step aims to prevent cooperatives established for non-agricultural purposes from effectively turning agricultural land into a hobby garden model.

One of the notable headings of the law is the provision that prevents the provision of infrastructure services to unauthorized structures and facilities. Under Law No. 5403, electricity, water, and natural gas connections and subscriptions cannot be established for structures and facilities built without a permit.

An administrative fine of 100 thousand TL per subscriber may be imposed on administrations, institutions, and organizations that act contrary to this rule. If the subscription is not canceled within 30 days after the notification of the fine, an additional fine of 100 thousand TL may be imposed for each month the subscription continues. It is stated that the regulation also increases administrative fines based on square meters regarding non-compliant uses on agricultural land.

Özelmacıklı emphasized that buyers should not make decisions without checking official documents in projects offered with field, vineyard, garden, olive grove, hobby garden, tiny house area, or cooperative membership. He pointed out that cooperative membership, usage agreements, or share transfers do not necessarily mean direct title deed ownership in every case.

According to experts, promises such as "zoning will come," "a house can be built," "no permit required," "a tiny house can be placed," or "a subscription can be obtained" must be verified with official documents. Practices such as de facto parceling, installing wire fences, opening roads, pouring concrete, and unauthorized construction carry the risk of administrative sanctions for both consumers and sellers.