Parcel “C” is cooperatively owned shares in the extensive olive orchards surrounding Yishi. This share is currently non-divisible, meaning that ownership is more like shares of stock in a company rather than an individual field you can identify and use as you see fit (as is the case with parcel “B”). This non-divisible status is, of course, subject to community decision and could foreseeabley be changed in the future. This parcel totals 12.5 dunam.

Building and Development Rights

Under current Moshav Yishi rules, 480 square meters of building is allowed on parcel “A” and none is allowed on parcels “B” and “C”. In this context, ‘building’ refers to housing structures, and does not include areas such as decks, patios, tennis courts, pavilions, pools, or other structures not defined as a “house”. 480 square meters = 5167 square feet. As with many other moshav regulations, this restriction is not absolute and could (and has been) adjusted given interest amongst meshek owners. Other structures such as pools, tennis courts, stables, commercial buildings, and other projects are all very doable but generally require building permits.

The history of this building allowance dates back to the moshav movement’s now-outdated socialist origins. Three moderate houses were envisioned and permitted – one for the meshek owner, one for his father, and one for his son. Later, Yishi residents collectively decided to up the building allowance with the idea of constructing ‘zimmerim’ (short-term country rental cottages) to generate extra income off the farms. In practice, hardly anyone actually build zimmerim, but the extra building allowance is available non-the-less.