Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

North Cyprus land, development order and planning guide

Development order and planning zones, plan zone types, Special Environmental Protection Areas, map sheets, amenities, earthquake history and distances for North Cyprus's 6 districts and 229 villages and towns.

Open the North Cyprus mapFind a village
Famagusta districtKyrenia districtGüzelyurt districtİskele districtLefke districtNicosia district
Hover over or tap a district to see its name and key facts; click to open its page. Boundaries are simplified.
Districts6
Municipalities18
Villages / towns229
Area3,259 km²land area

Districts

Planning zones
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In short: A regulation issued by the Town Planning Department for an area that controls building there. The area is divided into colour zones (yellow, blue, brown, green…); the permitted uses, density (floor area ratio), number of storeys and height for each colour are set out in the development order. For the exact rules, see the text published in the Official Gazette and ask the Town Planning Department.

North Cyprus's land area is divided into development order and zoning plan areas and Chapter 96 areas
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In short: Where there is no development order or zoning plan, building is governed by the Streets and Buildings Regulation Law (Chapter 96 — Fasıl 96) and needs a permit from the competent authority, usually the municipality. Each application is assessed individually; road access, infrastructure and neighbouring uses matter.
Approximate areas of the zones according to our planning data:
Planning zoneAreaDistricts
Chapter 96 area≈ 1,980 km²Famagusta, Kyrenia, Güzelyurt, İskele, Lefke, Nicosia
Karpaz Development Order≈ 380 km²İskele
Kyrenia Region 2 Development Order≈ 260 km²Kyrenia
Kyrenia Region 1 Development Order≈ 160 km²Kyrenia
Tatlısu Development Order≈ 150 km²Famagusta, İskele
Nicosia Zoning Plan≈ 120 km²Nicosia
Boğaz Development Order≈ 100 km²Kyrenia
Aquifer (groundwater) zone≈ 20 km²Kyrenia

Areas are approximate. The exact rules are in the development order texts.

Special Environmental Protection Areas
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In short: An area declared to protect natural and biological assets (sand dunes, turtle nesting beaches, wetlands, forest). Building inside is very restricted or prohibited; the rules come from the area's environmental protection plan and decisions of the relevant departments.

Transport

Straight-line distances to Ercan, the nearest port and Nicosia are given on each village page.

Buying land: title deed, permission, planning
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In short: In North Cyprus the title deed is called a koçan. Turkish title, equivalent title and allocation title deeds carry different legal risks; before buying, have the type and history of the deed checked against the Land Registry records and get advice from an independent lawyer.

Title deed types in North Cyprus · Buying land in North Cyprus · All guides

Villages and towns

Famagusta 48 settlements

Kyrenia 48 settlements

Güzelyurt 14 settlements

İskele 46 settlements

Lefke 28 settlements

Nicosia 45 settlements

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Frequently asked questions

What is a development order (emirname)?

A regulation issued by the Town Planning Department for an area that controls building there. The area is divided into colour zones (yellow, blue, brown, green…); the permitted uses, density (floor area ratio), number of storeys and height for each colour are set out in the development order. For the exact rules, see the text published in the Official Gazette and ask the Town Planning Department.

What does Chapter 96 area mean?

Where there is no development order or zoning plan, building is governed by the Streets and Buildings Regulation Law (Chapter 96 — Fasıl 96) and needs a permit from the competent authority, usually the municipality. Each application is assessed individually; road access, infrastructure and neighbouring uses matter.

What types of title deed are there in North Cyprus?

Turkish title (land owned by Turkish Cypriots or Turkish Cypriot foundations since before 1974), equivalent title (property given in the north in exchange for property left in the south after 1974) and allocation title (property allocated by the state). Equivalent and allocation titles may carry a risk of legal dispute; before buying, check the Land Registry record and get an independent lawyer's review.

Can foreigners buy land in North Cyprus?

Foreign nationals (including citizens of Türkiye) can acquire property, but they need permission from the Council of Ministers and area and number limits apply. The rules change from time to time, so check the current conditions with a lawyer.

What is a Special Environmental Protection Area (SEPA)?

An area declared to protect natural and biological assets (sand dunes, turtle nesting beaches, wetlands, forest). Building inside is very restricted or prohibited; the rules come from the area's environmental protection plan and decisions of the relevant departments.

How can I find out the planning status of a plot in North Cyprus?

Open the North Cyprus workspace on the ParselX map and upload your plot as KML, draw it or tap the map: the development order zone, plan zone type, SEPA, map sheet, amenities and earthquake data are shown. For the exact rules and building permits, apply to the municipality and the Town Planning Department.

See the planning status of your plot in North Cyprus

Open the North Cyprus workspace on the map: upload your plot as KML, draw it or tap the map to see the development order zone, plan zone type, SEPA, map sheet, amenities and earthquake data on one screen.

Open on the map

Türkiye guide by province and district

Sources: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) — administrative boundaries and amenities; ParselX North Cyprus planning database — development order and zoning plan areas, plan zones, SEPAs; USGS and GEM — earthquakes and active faults. Data compiled on 29 September 2026. Boundaries are simplified. This page is for information only; for official transactions the records of the Land Registry, the Town Planning Department and the municipality prevail.