Strengthened Liability for Violations of Urban Improvement Regulations

The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports that amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences aimed at strengthening control over urban and settlement improvement will come into force starting from March 2026.

Under the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed by the Head of State on December 30, 2025, local executive bodies of the cities of Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, and all regions have been granted the authority to draw up administrative offence protocols under Articles 434-2 and 505 of the Code of Administrative Offences for pollution of public places and violations of improvement (landscaping) rules. Previously, these measures could be applied only by internal affairs bodies.

The new powers will make it possible to respond more quickly and effectively to violations, including illegal waste dumping, damage to green spaces, and destruction of urban infrastructure.

It should be noted that last year alone more than 591,000 people were held administratively liable for such offences, including over 189,000 for pollution of public places and more than 403,000 for violations of improvement rules.

The total amount of fines imposed amounted to 5.2 billion tenge.

The Ministry emphasizes that the new measures will not only increase the effectiveness of prevention of violations, but will also support the development of environmental culture within the framework of the “Taza Kazakhstan” program.