Chapter 18.50
ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE

Sections:

18.50.010    Purpose.

18.50.020    Electric vehicle infrastructure – Where allowed.

18.50.030    Battery charging station or rapid charging station – Retrofitting in existing development.

18.50.040    Electric vehicle charging station spaces – Allowed as required spaces.

18.50.050    Off-street electric vehicle charging station spaces.

18.50.060    Accessible electric vehicle charging stations.

18.50.070    Electric vehicle charging station spaces – Signage.

18.50.080    Stacking spaces for electric vehicle battery exchange stations.

18.50.010 Purpose.

To establish “electric vehicle infrastructure” (EVI) regulations for the city to allow EVI and to meet the intent of RCW 35A.63.107 requiring the city to allow EVI in all zones except for residential zones. (Ord. 2012-002 § 1 (Exh. A))

18.50.020 Electric vehicle infrastructure – Where allowed.

Electric vehicle infrastructure is allowed as specified under SMC 18.20.020, 18.20.030, 18.20.040, 18.20.050, 18.20.060 and 18.57.020. (Ord. 2012-002 § 1 (Exh. A))

18.50.030 Battery charging station or rapid charging station – Retrofitting in existing development.

A. Required off-street parking spaces within any existing development listed under SMC 18.20.020 through 18.20.060 and Chapter 18.57 SMC may be converted to battery charging station spaces or rapid charging station spaces for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs); provided, that the battery charging and/or rapid charging stations are accessory to the permitted use(s) on the property.

B. The use of any charging station on site shall not obstruct any vehicular or pedestrian traffic on site (such as waiting for a charging station space within a drive aisle or a designated pedestrian crossing) or within a public right-of-way (ROW).

C. Battery or rapid charging station spaces shall be designated for charging electric vehicles only as provided under SMC 18.50.070. Nonelectric vehicles or noncharging BEVs or PHEVs shall not be allowed. The type of signage designating these spaces shall be approved by the city manager or his designee. (Ord. 2012-002 § 1 (Exh. A))

18.50.040 Electric vehicle charging station spaces – Allowed as required spaces.

Electric vehicle charging station spaces shall be allowed to be used in the computation of required off-street parking spaces as provided under SMC 18.48.050; provided, that the electric vehicle charging station(s) is accessory to the primary use of the property. (Ord. 2012-002 § 1 (Exh. A))

18.50.050 Off-street electric vehicle charging station spaces.

A. Number. No minimum number of charging station spaces is required.

B. Location and Design Criteria. The provision of electric vehicle parking will vary based on the design and use of the primary parking lot. The following required and additional locational and design criteria are provided in recognition of the various parking lot layout options:

1. Where provided, parking for electric vehicle charging purposes is required to include the following:

a. Signage. Signage, as required under SMC 18.50.070 for each charging station space, shall be posted indicating the space is only for electric vehicle charging purposes. Days and hours of operations shall be included if time limits or tow-away provisions are to be enforced.

b. Maintenance. Charging station equipment shall be maintained in all respects, including the functioning of the charging equipment. A phone number or other contact information shall be provided on the charging station equipment for reporting when the equipment is not functioning or other problems are encountered.

c. Accessibility. Where charging station equipment is provided within an adjacent pedestrian circulation area, such as a sidewalk or accessible route to the building entrance, the charging equipment shall be located so as not to interfere with accessibility requirements of WAC 51-50-005.

d. Lighting. Where charging station equipment is installed, adequate site lighting shall exist, unless charging is for daytime purposes only.

2. Parking for electric vehicles should also consider the following:

a. Notification. Information on the charging station, identifying voltage and amperage levels and any time of use, fees, or safety information.

b. Signage. Installation of directional signs at the parking lot entrance and at appropriate decision points to effectively guide motorists to the charging station space(s).

C. Data Collection. To allow for maintenance and notification, owners of any private new electric vehicle infrastructure station that will be publicly available (see definition of “electric vehicle charging station – public”) shall provide information on the station’s geographic location, date of installation, equipment type and model, and owner contact information. This information shall be submitted to the department of community development. (Ord. 2012-002 § 1 (Exh. A))

18.50.060 Accessible electric vehicle charging stations.

Where electric vehicle charging stations are provided in parking lots, accessible electric vehicle charging stations shall be provided as follows:

A. Accessible electric vehicle charging stations shall be provided in the ratios shown on the following table:

Number of EV Charging Stations

Minimum Accessible EV Charging Stations

1 – 50

1

51 – 100

2

101 – 150

3

151 – 200

4

201 – 250

5

251 – 300

6

B. Accessible electric vehicle charging stations should be located in close proximity to the building or facility entrance and shall be connected to a barrier-free accessible route of travel. It is not necessary to designate the accessible electric vehicle charging station exclusively for the use of disabled persons. Below are two options for providing for accessible electric vehicle charging stations.

Figure 18.50.060a – Off-street accessible electric vehicle charging station – Option 1

 

 

Puget Sound area parking garage.

Photo by ECOtality North America.

Figure 18.50.060b – Off-street accessible electric vehicle charging station – Option 2

 

Fashion Island Shopping Mall, Newport Beach, CA.

Photo by LightMoves.

(Ord. 2012-002 § 1 (Exh. A))

18.50.070 Electric vehicle charging station spaces – Signage.

A. Off-street public electric vehicle charging station spaces shall provide the following signage:

Figure 18.50.070a Directional – Off-Street Parking Lot

 

 

 

12" x 12"

 

 

12" x 6"

Comment: The directional sign for an on-site parking lot should be used in the parking facility with a directional arrow at all decision points.

Figure 18.50.070b – Off-Street EV Parking – Parking Space with Charging Station Equipment

 

 

 

12" x 12"

 

 

 

12" x 18"

 

 

 

12" x 18"

Comment: Combination sign identifying space as an electric vehicle charging station, prohibiting nonelectric vehicles, with charging time limits. The use of time limits is optional. The blue/white and red/black signs define that only an electric vehicle that is charging can use the spaces. The green sign defines time limits for how long an electric vehicle can be in the space during the specified hours. Outside of the specified hours, electric vehicles can charge for an indefinite period of time. (Ord. 2012-002 § 1 (Exh. A))

18.50.080 Stacking spaces for electric vehicle battery exchange stations.

Electric vehicle battery exchange stations shall provide three stacking spaces. A stacking space shall be an area measuring eight feet by 20 feet with direct forward access to the battery exchange bay. A stacking space shall be located to prevent any vehicles from extending onto the public right-of-way, or interfering with any pedestrian circulation, traffic maneuvering, or other required parking areas. Stacking spaces may not be counted as required off-street parking spaces. (Ord. 2012-002 § 1 (Exh. A))