Free Resident Parking in Israeli Cities to End by 2027 Under New Rules

Starting January 2027, Israeli cities will no longer allow free parking across entire urban areas for residents. Instead, free parking will be limited strictly to residents' immediate neighborhoods. This change affects major cities including Ramat Gan, Herzliya, Holon, and Ashkelon, which will have to start charging for parking outside designated residential zones. Municipalities currently offering free parking in high-demand areas, such as Ashdod's beachfront or Rehovot's Science Park, must decide whether to charge all drivers or provide blanket exemptions. This policy shift follows the collapse of a public transportation reform bill in the Knesset, which was blocked at the last moment due to pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties. Had metropolitan authorities been established as planned, the parking fee increases and per-minute parking charges would have been postponed or canceled. Further details will be provided in the evening news on Channel 13.