Ground-floor apartments in multi-story residential buildings may soon host retail businesses and service centers without undergoing the lengthy legal process of being rezoned as non-residential property.
The proposal was unveiled on September 9 during an expanded government meeting on expanding employment and boosting public income, chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Officials at the meeting noted that ground-floor units are highly suitable for high-demand community services. These include hair and beauty salons, small retail shops, tailor spaces, and repair workshops for shoes and household appliances.
Under current regulations, utilizing a residential property for commercial operations requires converting it into non-residential real estate, a bureaucratic process involving numerous official approvals and permits. To eliminate these hurdles, the new initiative proposes allowing commercial activities in ground-floor apartments while preserving their residential status. Business owners would operate under a streamlined notification system instead of seeking prior authorization.
Competent agencies have been ordered to compile a comprehensive list of approved retail and service sectors for these properties within one month, alongside defining mandatory safety and security requirements.
Furthermore, the president directed officials to audit every province for unused, vacant structures and land plots that could support manufacturing and service sector expansion. These underutilized assets will be paired with upcoming entrepreneurial projects.
Special emphasis will also be placed on deploying businesses along bustling district and neighborhood streets based on specialized master plans. Meanwhile, historical cities and designated tourism hubs have been instructed to renovate streets in a traditional "old city" style to accelerate the growth of guesthouses, retail shops, and hospitality services.
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