Entrepreneurs, however, say that this process is sometimes being carried out without prior notice and is causing damage to businesses.
In March 2026, a new design code for Tashkent was approved. Although the document was scheduled to come into force three months later, raids for dismantling advertising banners began as early as April 2025.
According to the Tashkent City Administration, old advertising structures must be replaced with new ones. For this, entrepreneurs must formalize an "advertising space passport." Its cost amounts to 7% of the base calculation amount per square meter per month and is calculated from x1 to x3 depending on the land coefficient.
One of the founders of a local brand said that dismantling work was carried out step-by-step on various streets from summer to November. According to him, a banner on Shota Rustaveli Street was destroyed without notice, and in the Samarkand Darvoza area, removal was demanded within two hours. The entrepreneur says that due to the absence of the advertising banner, the number of clients has decreased, resulting in the closure of two branches. According to his estimate, the damage for the banner and facade repair amounted to nearly 6 million soums and 300 dollars.
Linar Gazimov, the owner of the Bloomora flower shop, reported that on March 4th—the peak time of the season—he was forced to remove his banner. According to them, to avoid causing damage, they dismantled the structure themselves. There was no opportunity to receive clear instructions from the neighborhood or preventive inspection authorities. As a result, the lack of a banner before March 8th led to a decrease in casual customers. It is said that a new banner, compliant with standards, would cost approximately 6 million soums.
Another entrepreneur reported that on January 20th, his banner was removed without notice. According to him, employees of the administration and the National Guard began destroying the advertising structure. The entrepreneur organized the dismantling himself to preserve the structure and paid 200 dollars. The banner itself cost 2300 dollars. It is now said that it has become more difficult for customers to find the shop.
The Tashkent City Administration, however, stated that entrepreneurs were previously informed about these changes through mass media and working groups. According to the administration, they are open to communication with entrepreneurs and no official complaints regarding damage to property have been received.
Earlier, former deputy Rasul Kusherbaev also criticized these processes, saying that the destruction of shops and advertising structures could be assessed as pressure on businesses. He called on the authorities to conduct all affairs within the framework of the law.
