Almaty Apartment Residents to Receive Free Access to Public Paid Parking Spaces

Almaty is introducing new regulations that will allow residents of apartment buildings to utilize public paid parking spaces for free. This decision was approved by the Almaty maslikhat on July 30, 2026, aiming to enhance parking conditions for homeowners and tenants.

The key change: Owners and tenants of units in apartment buildings can obtain the right to use a parking spot for free at one of the public parking areas within a 500-meter radius from their residence.

The right to free usage is granted for one vehicle per unit. However, a specific parking space is not reserved for the user, and parking is only available when there are vacant spaces. Exceptions include underground, intercept, multi-level, and mechanized parking facilities, where the free use right does not apply.

How to Obtain the Right to Free Parking?

To acquire the right to free parking, an application must be submitted. The granting of the right is contingent upon the following conditions:

• Choose one parking area within a 500-meter radius from the residence.
• One vehicle per unit.
• No specific parking spot is assigned.

Applications can be submitted starting August 17, 2026, via the "Almaty Parking" municipal public enterprise website or through the eOtinish platform for citizen inquiries. The right to free use can also be extended to a close relative living with the applicant, with the owner's consent.

For tenants, the right is granted based on a registered rental agreement.

If the residence or vehicle is co-owned, written consent from other owners is required.

Detailed information will be available on the "Almaty Parking" municipal public enterprise website.

This year, the city plans to add over 8,000 public parking spots, increasing the total from 17,000 to 25,000. The new parking zones will include both on-street and lot-based parking.

Who is Exempt from Fees?

The new rules also define preferential groups exempt from parking fees on submission of required documents. These include:

• Veterans of the Great Patriotic War and other military actions abroad,
• Labor Veterans,
• Persons with disabilities of groups 1 and 2,
• Guardians of children with disabilities,
• Mothers with "Altyn alka" and "Kumis alka" awards,
• Citizens affected by nuclear tests in Semipalatinsk,
• Electric vehicle owners.

Thus, the new system offers a differentiated approach: apartment residents can use nearby parking for free, while preferential groups enjoy fee exemptions.

Important Information for Drivers

Public sidewalk parking operates from 08:00 to 20:00. The operating hours for lot-based, underground, intercept, and mechanized parking are determined by the managing organization.

Parking fees are charged per minute under set tariffs. On sidewalk parking areas, the first five minutes are free for picking up or dropping off passengers or loading and unloading. Otherwise, the entire duration, including the first five minutes, will incur charges.

The new rules aim to organize the city's parking space usage, improve accessibility and turnover, and offer free parking options for apartment building residents.

reported by ЖКХ24 citing the website of Almaty's Department of Energy and Housing and Communal Services.

Photo: gov.kz