Permits and Documents Required to Set Up a Greenhouse: Step-by-Step Guide

Investing in a greenhouse is not a process that ends with just buying the land and erecting the steel frame. To establish a sustainable and legal business, benefit from government incentives, and avoid future penal sanctions, bureaucratic steps must be taken completely.

The greenhouse installation process in Turkey requires the coordination of multiple institutions.

Here is the process regarding the permits and documents required to set up a greenhouse:

Step 1: Clarifying Land and Ownership Status 

The starting point of the process is the legal status of the land where the greenhouse will be established. Firstly, a Title Deed (Tapu Senedi) showing the land belongs to you, or if rented, a Notarized Lease Agreement is required.

Additionally, an Application Plan (Aplikasyon Krokisi), where the boundaries and coordinates of the land are clearly defined, is vital to ensuring the project is not positioned incorrectly. These documents will form the basis of all other applications.

Step 2: Zoning and Construction Permits from Local Administrations

The next stop after the land status is clarified is the Municipality (if within municipal boundaries) or the Special Provincial Administration (if outside adjacent areas).

A Zoning Status Certificate indicating whether the land is suitable for greenhouse activities must be obtained from here. Even though a greenhouse has the status of an "agricultural structure," obtaining a Construction Permit (Building Permit) is mandatory for structures of certain sizes and especially those with concrete foundations. This step is critical for the safety and legal status of the structure.

Step 3: Agriculture Directorate Approval and FRS (ÇKS) 

Greenhouse cultivation is an agricultural activity, and the main authority in this process is the Provincial/District Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry.

By applying to the Agriculture Directorate with documents obtained from the local administration, an Agricultural Structure Permit Opinion regarding the suitability of the project must be obtained. Furthermore, to benefit from state support, grants, and loans, it is a condition for farmers to register with the Farmer Registration System (ÇKS) or initiate the pre-application process.

Step 4: Water and Environmental Permits (DSI and Environment & Urbanization) 

Greenhouse means water. If there is no ready water mains on the land and a well needs to be drilled, it is mandatory to obtain groundwater search and use permits from the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ). Drilling unauthorized wells leads to serious penalties.

Simultaneously, depending on the size of the project, an application must be made to the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change to obtain an "Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Not Required" or "Out of Scope" letter.

Step 5: Greenhouse Operation Approval and Commencement of Activity 

Your greenhouse construction is completed after collecting the positive opinions and permits of all these institutions. In the final stage, legal activity begins by obtaining Operation Approval from the relevant institutions, and the production process officially starts.

Following these steps meticulously will ensure your project progresses smoothly.