Who will be able to park for free in Almaty - new rules published

Tengrinews.kz — Almaty is set to update its regulations for municipal paid parking. The new rules govern not only payment procedures and resident parking permits but also the protocols for vehicle towing, storage, and retrieval.
Free Parking: Eligibility and Requirements
Property owners or tenants of apartments, offices, or other premises in residential buildings are eligible to apply for free parking privileges.
This right applies to a single designated municipal parking lot located within 500 meters of the residence or office. However, a specific spot is not reserved for a particular vehicle; users may occupy any available space within the designated zone free of charge.
The management organization determines exactly how the 500-meter distance is calculated. It is also responsible for verifying whether a property falls within the established radius and whether the owner or tenant is eligible for the benefit.
Additional Eligibility for Free Parking
Free parking rights can be extended beyond the property owner to immediate family members residing with them. This requires the written consent of the homeowner.
If a vehicle is registered in the name of a minor, their parents or other legal guardians may utilize the free parking. If there are multiple guardians, written consent from the others is required.
Grounds for Revocation of Free Parking Privileges
Free parking privileges may be revoked if:

you no longer own the property or the vehicle;
your lease agreement for the premises has expired;
you have updated registration data, such as changing the vehicle's license plate, making it impossible for the management organization to identify it.

Free parking rights may also be annulled if false information or forged documents were provided during the application process. Furthermore, the benefit will be canceled if a court deems its granting illegal or if the rights holder submits a formal waiver.
New Payment Rules for City Parking
The new Almaty regulations formally introduce per-minute billing for paid parking for the first time. According to the document, charges will be calculated for every minute of the parking session.
A grace period remains in place: 5 minutes for curbside parking and 10 minutes for parking lots. This time is intended solely for picking up or dropping off passengers or exiting the parking area.
However, there is a critical detail. The document states:

"In the event that a vehicle exceeds the five-minute placement period in a municipal curbside paid parking zone, payment shall be charged from the moment the grace period is exceeded, including the initial five minutes of the vehicle's placement in the municipal paid parking zone," the document specifies.

In other words, if you stay in a parking spot for 15 minutes, you must pay for the entire duration starting from the first minute. The five-minute grace period only applies if the total parking time does not exceed the established free limit.
Vehicle Towing Protocols
The new rules also outline the procedure for towing vehicles. Before loading a car, towing operators must complete an inspection report, record its condition, and document the entire removal process via photo and video.
A vehicle may be sent to an impound lot if the driver violates legal requirements that serve as grounds for vehicle detention and the owner or driver is not present.
Vehicles may also be moved due to temporary parking restrictions or prohibitions—for example, if a car obstructs street cleaning, repair work, or other public events.

"The management organization... has the right to move vehicles obstructing site cleaning to the nearest available cleared space without transporting them to a specialized impound lot," the document states.

If a vehicle is sent to an impound lot, the owner will be required to pay the costs of towing and storage. The fee schedule will be determined by the Almaty Maslikhat (City Council).
Notably, vehicles obstructing cleaning or repairs will not be towed to an impound lot; they may simply be moved to the nearest available cleared spot. Such relocations must also be documented by photo and video.
Background
Discussions regarding free parking for property owners began in June this year. At that time, the draft of the new regulations was under consideration. By the end of July, the new traffic management rules were officially approved.

"Specific spots are not assigned, which helps maintain a balance between the interests of residents and other citizens. The project details the procedure for obtaining this right for owners, tenants, and their family members," stated Erzhan Dikhanbayev, head of the Traffic Management and Passenger Transport Department.