As of January 20, legislative amendments regarding unauthorized constructions have come into force in Armenia. The changes grant citizens an additional period — until December 31, 2026 — to register unauthorized structures built before 2021.
The decision was adopted following numerous appeals from citizens who stated that they had failed to complete the registration process under previous regulations, were not properly informed, or were outside the Republic of Armenia at the time. While the new regulation creates a renewed legal opportunity, it also requires a more attentive approach, as registration does not in itself constitute legalization. Misunderstanding the process may place citizens in a legally vulnerable position.
What the law provides
Under the amended legislation, citizens may register unauthorized constructions that are reflected in the 2021 aerial photography materials of the Republic of Armenia. This applies to structures that were previously not registered, regardless of the reason.
According to the established procedure, the property owner must first arrange for a technical survey of the structure. The collected data is then uploaded into the electronic system, and only after confirmation of registration may the owner apply to the local self-government bodies to initiate the legalization process.
Registration does not equal legalization
Registration is not a final legal outcome. It represents the starting point of a process that allows the citizen to apply to the community authorities with the expectation that the structure may be recognized as legal if it complies with urban planning standards, territorial zoning regulations, and other applicable legal requirements.
In other words, registration is a mandatory step on the path toward legalization, but it does not guarantee that the structure will ultimately receive lawful status.
Why postponing the process is risky
Experience from previous years demonstrates that registration systems become heavily overloaded toward the end of the year. While the number of applications remains relatively low in the first months, it rises sharply in December, often reaching several thousand submissions.
This results in overburdened specialists, extended processing times, and in some cases increased service costs. For this reason, citizens are strongly encouraged to initiate the registration process as early as possible and not to wait until the end of 2026.
How the registration process begins
Once a citizen confirms that their structure was built before the 2021 aerial survey, they must contact a qualified surveyor or geodesist. Measurements must be carried out based on actual and precise coordinates, regardless of potential inaccuracies in cadastral maps.
At this stage, the citizen acts as the client and bears responsibility for ensuring that the work is performed correctly. The surveyor uploads the data into the electronic system, after which the citizen receives an SMS notification. A second notification is sent once the cadastral specialists review and approve the data, at which point the registration is considered complete.
Which structures are considered unauthorized
Unauthorized constructions include all structures built without proper urban planning documentation, regardless of the period of construction. This applies to buildings erected during the Soviet era as well as those constructed in the post-Soviet period.
If a Soviet-era structure is already recorded in official property documentation, it does not require re-registration. In all other cases, unauthorized constructions include unpermitted extensions, fences, residential expansions, garages, utility buildings, and structures attached to apartment buildings, provided they were built before the 2021 aerial photography was conducted.