The Georgian government has approved new regulations introducing nationwide aesthetic standards for buildings, a significant shift in how architectural design will be regulated across the country.
Under the changes, mandatory aesthetic parameters will be established for building facades, roofs, fences, materials and color schemes. These standards will serve as a baseline framework for municipalities, which will be required to take them into account when issuing construction-related decisions.
The reform was formally enacted through a government decree adopted on December 18, amending the existing rules on construction permits and the commissioning of buildings. The updated regulation introduces a new provision, governing cases where an architectural project deviates from the state-defined aesthetic characteristics.
The new rules state that any architectural project that does not comply with the government-approved aesthetic standards must, at the project approval stage, receive consent from the Spatial and Urban Development Agency operating under the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. The same requirement applies to architectural sketches submitted through the construction notification procedure.
Failure to secure approval from the agency in such cases will constitute legal grounds for refusing a construction permit or rejecting a construction notification. In addition, all architectural sketches, including those for Class I buildings, must adhere to the aesthetic requirements set out in the relevant government decree.
While the standards will eventually become binding, the government has introduced a transition period. Until July 1, 2026, the aesthetic requirements will be advisory in nature. After that date, compliance will be mandatory nationwide.
The government has stated that aesthetic parameters will be defined for all regions of Georgia. As part of the rollout, Deputy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili has met with business representatives to discuss the upcoming changes and their implications for development and construction practices.
