# Building a house on agricultural land in Georgia Building an individual house on a privately owned agricultural plot is often allowed — if it fits the zone or the surrounding buildings. For other non-farm uses, the land's designation has to change first. We check what is and isn't allowed and prepare the application. - Confidential - Georgian · English · Russian - Free first consultation - Courts of all instances Under the Law on Land Designation and Sustainable Management, an agricultural plot may carry an individual house, farm buildings or auxiliary buildings. Under the Spatial Planning Code, a house on a private agricultural plot is allowed if it fits the zone or existing buildings; outside settlements, no permit is issued for housing. Changes of designation are decided by the Public Registry and require a justified need. If an approved development plan changes the zone, the owner's application is enough. A commission gives its opinion within 15 days and the decision follows within 5; the registration fee is GEL 50. ## Compensation for a change of designation - Only in special-regulation territories — GEL 100,000 per hectare - In Tbilisi and Batumi — GEL 34,001 per hectare - Elsewhere no compensation; state and municipal land is exempt - Paid in proportion to the area, before the final decision ## Changing the category Agricultural land can only move 'up' a category — e.g. pasture to hay meadow, arable or household plot, arable to household plot — on the owner's application. Building a house also needs a municipal building permit. ## Our services - Checking the plot's zone and designation - Application to change designation - Changing the land category - Municipal building permit - Appealing a refusal - Unauthorised construction cases ## Questions & answers ### Can I build a house on agricultural land? On a private plot — often yes, if it fits the zone or surrounding buildings. Outside settlements, no permit is issued for housing. We'll check your plot. ### Who changes land designation? The Public Registry — where there is a justified need, based on a commission's opinion. ### What does a change of designation cost? The registration fee is GEL 50. Compensation applies only in Tbilisi and Batumi (GEL 34,001/ha) and special-regulation territories (GEL 100,000/ha). ## Legal basis - [Law on Land Designation and Sustainable Management](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/4596113) - [Spatial Planning, Architectural and Construction Code](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/4276845) Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge. ## Related topics - [#Property](https://mmlaw.ge/en/real-estate-lawyer/) - [#Public authorities](https://mmlaw.ge/en/administrative-law-lawyer/) - - [Land registration](https://mmlaw.ge/en/land-registration-georgia/) - - [Real estate lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/real-estate-lawyer/) - - [Buying an apartment in Georgia: what to check](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/buying-an-apartment-checklist/) - - [Living in a flat for a lump sum (girao)](https://mmlaw.ge/en/girao-apartment-lump-sum-georgia/) - - [Renting an apartment](https://mmlaw.ge/en/apartment-lease-georgia/) - - [Mortgage](https://mmlaw.ge/en/mortgage-georgia/) - - [Administrative law lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/administrative-law-lawyer/) - - [How to appeal a fine in Georgia](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/how-to-appeal-a-fine/) Practice areas ## Other practice areas - [Criminal defense](https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-defense-lawyer/) — Defense at every stage — from investigation and arrest to trial and appeal. - [Drug offences](https://mmlaw.ge/en/drug-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in cases of buying, possessing, selling and importing drugs — and against fines and administrative detention. - [Cybercrime](https://mmlaw.ge/en/cybercrime-lawyer/) — Defense in cybercrime cases and help for victims of online fraud, hacked accounts and blackmail. - [Property crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/property-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in theft, robbery, fraud, extortion, embezzlement and misappropriation cases. - [Economic crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/economic-crime-lawyer/) — Defence against tax evasion, money laundering, customs and other economic charges. - [Corruption and official crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/corruption-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in bribery, trading in influence and abuse of official power cases. - [Violent crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/violent-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in assault, bodily injury, threats and homicide cases — including self-defence. - [Juvenile justice](https://mmlaw.ge/en/juvenile-justice-lawyer/) — Specialised representation of minors, focused on their rights and future. - [Civil litigation](https://mmlaw.ge/en/civil-litigation-lawyer/) — Contract, property and damages disputes — negotiated or argued in court. - [Administrative law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/administrative-law-lawyer/) — Challenging decisions of public bodies, fines, permits and licences. - [Labor disputes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/employment-lawyer/) — Unlawful dismissal, unpaid wages and employment contracts — for employees and employers. - [Corporate law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/corporate-lawyer/) — Company formation, contracts, compliance and shareholder matters. - [Real estate](https://mmlaw.ge/en/real-estate-lawyer/) — Due diligence, purchase agreements, registration and property disputes. - [Family law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/family-lawyer/) — Divorce, custody, alimony and division of property — handled with discretion. - [Inheritance](https://mmlaw.ge/en/inheritance-lawyer/) — Accepting an inheritance, the certificate of inheritance, wills and disputes between heirs. - [Intellectual property](https://mmlaw.ge/en/intellectual-property-lawyer/) — Trademarks, copyright and protection of your creative and business assets. --- Source: https://mmlaw.ge/en/building-on-agricultural-land-georgia/ · MMLAW · +995 551 00 43 00 · info@mmlaw.ge