Free parking in blue-and-white zones to be restricted for residents in many Israeli cities
Starting in January 2027, large Israeli cities will be permitted to limit free parking for residents to their immediate residential area. This shift follows the failure of a public transport reform in the Knesset.
Free parking in blue-and-white zones will soon be restricted for residents in many Israeli cities. Starting in January 2027, large municipalities will be permitted to grant free parking to their residents exclusively within their residential area, rather than throughout the entire city.
Among the cities that will soon have to transition to zonal charging are Ramat Gan, Herzliya, Holon, and Ashkelon. Municipalities that currently offer free parking in high-demand areas — such as the beach in Ashdod or the Science Park in Rehovot — will be forced to choose between charging residents as well or providing a sweeping exemption for everyone.
The situation arose due to the public transportation reform that failed in a Knesset vote at the last minute following pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties. Had the metropolitan transport authorities been established, the price increase would have been postponed, and the law on per-minute parking would have been canceled.
The full report will air this evening on Channel 13 News.
