Today in the Official Gazette (August 13, 2025): Significant Changes Published in Zoning, Alcohol, and University Regulations

ANKARA - In the Official Gazette, issue number 32985, dated August 13, 2025, important regulations and decisions from various institutions, primarily the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, were published. The decisions that came into force include a wide range of changes, from zoning regulations and ethyl alcohol and methanol trade to university education and the establishment of new research centers. Here are the notable headlines from today's Official Gazette.

Planned Areas Zoning Regulation Changed: New Standards for the Disabled and Elderly A regulatory change published by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change introduced new standards for zoning plans and construction. With these changes, steps were taken to improve the quality of life for the elderly and disabled individuals. With the provisions added to the regulation, it became mandatory to install handrails at a height of 80 cm from the floor in the hallways and corridors of elderly care facilities. In addition, building entrance doors will be made more visible with distinguishing materials, colors, or pattern differences for the elderly. The regulations for the disabled were also expanded, with the phrase "and for the elderly" added after "for the disabled." Door widths were also rearranged, and the clear width of building entrance doors cannot be less than 1.50 meters, independent unit entrance doors less than 1.00 meters, and other room doors less than 0.90 meters.

Daycare and Family Health Center Mandate in Housing Projects The regulation also requires the addition of new social amenity areas to large housing projects. In housing projects with an area of more than 15,000 m² and more than 150 independent units, it is required to allocate a separate daycare area of at most 200 m² to serve children aged 0-66 months. Similarly, a family health center area is required to be allocated in housing projects with an area of more than 25,000 m² and more than 250 independent units. While specific square meters are determined for these facilities, these requirements may not be applied in mass housing built by public institutions and organizations.

New Rules in the Trade of Ethyl Alcohol and Methanol The regulation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry updated the procedures and principles regarding the production and domestic and foreign trade of ethyl alcohol and methanol. With the new regulation, new rules were determined for the packaging, distribution, and sale of ethyl alcohol for medical use. These alcohols will be packaged in 5-liter, matte black plastic containers for health institutions such as pharmacies and hospitals, and it will be mandatory for their labels to have a QR code. For pharmaceutical warehouses and pharmacies that want to obtain a wholesale license, it is required to have been active for at least three years. In addition, it became mandatory for tanks, packages, and containers where methanol is stored in bulk to have the inscription "METHANOL DO NOT DRINK, IT KILLS."

New Regulations Came into Force in Universities Important decisions regarding universities were also included in the Official Gazette. A Dependency Application and Research Center was established within Bursa Uludağ University. The aim of the center is to raise public awareness about the fight against addiction, conduct scientific research, and organize training. In addition, the Istanbul Medeniyet University Undergraduate Education and Examination Regulation also came into force. This regulation governs issues such as courses, exams, and grading in undergraduate programs.

Announcement Section In the announcement section of the newspaper, various bidding, reduction, and tender announcements were included. In addition, the daily values of foreign exchange rates determined by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey and domestic government bonds were published. Decisions to ban some companies from participating in tenders were among the other announcements in the Official Gazette.