North Cyprus district guide

Güzelyurt land, development order and planning guide

Güzelyurt is one of the six districts of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, covering about 200 km² with 14 villages and towns and 1 municipalities (Güzelyurt). By area, the district falls under the Chapter 96 area (100%), the Kyrenia Region 1 Development Order (under 5%). Protected areas in the district: Akdeniz SEPA (under 5%). This page summarises the district's planning zones, plan zone types, protected areas, amenities, earthquake history and distances; village pages give more detail.

Kyrenia districtNicosia districtLefke districtAkçayAşağıbostancıAydınköyGayretköyGüneşköyGüzelyurt town centreKalkanlıMevleviSerhatköyŞahinlerYaylaYukarıbostancıYuvacıkZümrütköy
Hover over or tap a village to see its name and key facts; click to open its page. Grey areas are neighbouring districts. Boundaries are simplified.
Area200 km²
Villages / towns14
Municipalities1
Main planning zone
?
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.
Chapter 96 area100%
Environmental protection
?
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.
under 5%Akdeniz SEPA
Ercan Airport48 kmfrom the middle of the district

Planning zone
?
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.

The Güzelyurt district is almost entirely within the Chapter 96 area; the rest falls in Kyrenia Region 1 Development Order (under 5%). In Chapter 96 areas the general building rules apply instead of a development order
?
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.

Main plan zone types
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In short: The type of zone in a development order or zoning plan that shows what land may be used for: housing development, agriculture, forest, tourism, coastal strip, development order colour zones and so on. Percentages show the approximate share within the boundary; the exact type for your plot is shown on the map with a point query.

The exact plan zone type, development order colour and map sheet of your plot are shown on the map with a point query.

Open the planning layer on the map

Shares are approximate (rounded to 5%). For building rules, the text of the development order published in the Official Gazette and the Town Planning Department prevail.

Special Environmental Protection Areas
?
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.

About under 5% of the Güzelyurt district lies within the Akdeniz SEPA. Building in these areas is very restricted or prohibited; you can check on the map whether your plot is inside.

Nearby amenities
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In short: The number of schools, health facilities, supermarkets, parks and service points recorded within this boundary in OpenStreetMap (the open world map kept up to date by volunteers). Coverage is good in towns; villages may have gaps. The distance from your plot to the nearest amenities is shown on the map.

School11
Nursery / kindergarten5
University5
Hospital3
Health centre1
Pharmacy23
Supermarket34
Park39
Mosque17
Fuel station8
Bus station3
Police / gendarmerie1
Post office (PTT)3
Bank / ATM22

Points recorded in OpenStreetMap within the Güzelyurt district. The distance from your plot to the nearest school, supermarket, health centre and park, and a liveability score, are shown on the map with a point query.

Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Data is maintained by volunteers and may be incomplete, especially in villages.

Earthquake history
?
In short: Earthquakes come from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) catalogue and fault traces from the GEM Global Active Faults Database. Cyprus is an earthquake zone because it lies near the Cyprus Arc, where the African and Anatolian plates meet; most of the largest earthquakes occur south of the island and offshore. For any building, a soil survey and the earthquake regulations in force prevail.

M5+ earthquakes (since 1900)1within the boundary or 10 km of it
Largest earthquakeM5.520.04.1921
Nearest active fault trace28.8 kmfrom the centre point

Since 1900, 1 earthquakes of magnitude 5 or above have been recorded within the Güzelyurt district or 10 km of it; the largest was M5.5 in 1921. Cyprus is an earthquake zone because of the Cyprus Arc, which runs south of the island; the distance from your plot to the nearest fault and nearby earthquakes are shown on the map.

Source: USGS earthquake catalogue, GEM Global Active Faults Database (CC BY-SA 4.0). For any building, a soil survey and the earthquake regulations in force prevail.

Transport

Ercan Airport48 kmthe only airport with scheduled flights
Nearest passenger port36 kmKyrenia Tourist Harbour
Nicosia35 kmcapital, city centre

Distances are straight-line and measured from a representative point in the middle of the Güzelyurt district; road distances are longer. Scheduled civil flights use Ercan; ferries to Türkiye sail from Kyrenia Tourist Harbour and Famagusta Port.

Looking for land in Güzelyurt?

Tell us the area, plot size and budget you have in mind. With your consent, we pass your request to a registered estate agent in North Cyprus who knows the area. Free, no account needed — just confirm your e-mail.

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Buying land: title deed, permission, planning
?
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 municipalities of Güzelyurt

Neighbouring districts

Kyrenia Nicosia Lefke

Frequently asked questions

Which development orders apply in the Güzelyurt district?

According to our planning data, the Güzelyurt district falls under the Chapter 96 area (100%), the Kyrenia Region 1 Development Order (under 5%). In Chapter 96 areas the general rules of the Streets and Buildings Regulation Law apply instead of a development order.

How many villages and municipalities are there in Güzelyurt?

The Güzelyurt district has 14 villages and towns and 1 municipalities (Güzelyurt Municipality).

Are there Special Environmental Protection Areas in Güzelyurt?

Yes: Akdeniz SEPA (about under 5% of the district). Building is very restricted in these areas.

How far is Güzelyurt from Ercan Airport?

About 48 km as the crow flies from the middle of the district. The nearest passenger port is Kyrenia Tourist Harbour (36 km). Distances for each village are on the village pages.

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

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 and map sheet are shown. For the exact rules and permits, apply to the municipality and the Town Planning Department.

Is the Güzelyurt district in an earthquake zone?

Cyprus is an earthquake zone because of the Cyprus Arc south of the island. Since 1900, 1 earthquakes of magnitude 5 or above have been recorded within the Güzelyurt district or 10 km of it; the largest was M5.5 in 1921. A soil survey and the earthquake regulations apply to any building.

See the planning status of your plot in Güzelyurt

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

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.