Chapter 20.156
ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE
Sections:
20.156.030 Electric vehicle charging stations – General.
20.156.040 Noticing of electric vehicle charging stations.
20.156.060 Off-street electric vehicle charging stations – General.
20.156.070 On-street electric vehicle charging stations – General.
20.156.100 Violations – Penalties.
20.156.010 Purpose.
A. To provide opportunity for placement of adequate and convenient electric vehicle charging stations to serve the needs of the traveling public.
B. To provide residents opportunities for safe and efficient electric charging stations located at their place of residence.
C. To provide the opportunity for commercial and industrial uses to provide electric vehicle charging stations to their customers and employees.
D. To provide placement criteria and placement standards to encourage and promote safe and efficient electric vehicle charging opportunities in a full range of zones and settings for convenience of service to those that use electric vehicles. (Ord. 2011-15 § 3(part), 2011).
20.156.020 Definitions.
As used in this code, the following words and phrases shall mean:
A. “Accessible electric vehicle charging station” means an electric vehicle charging station where the battery charging station equipment is located within accessible reach of a barrier-free access aisle and the electric vehicle.
B. “Battery charging station” means an electrical component assembly or cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries within electric vehicles, which meet or exceed any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
C. “Battery electric vehicle (BEV)” means any vehicle that operates exclusively on electrical energy from an off-board source that is stored in the vehicle’s batteries, and produces zero tailpipe emissions or pollution when stationary or operating.
D. “Battery exchange station” means a fully automated facility that will enable an electric vehicle with a swappable battery to enter a drive lane and exchange the depleted battery with a fully charged battery through a fully automated process, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.27 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
E. “Charging levels” means the standardized indicators of electrical force, or voltage, at which an electric vehicle’s battery is recharged. The terms 1, 2, and 3 are the most common EV charging levels, and include the following specifications:
1. Level 1 is considered slow charging. Typically operates on a fifteen or twenty amp breaker on a one hundred twenty volt alternating current (AC) circuit and standard outlet.
2. Level 2 is considered medium charging. Typically operates on a forty amp to one hundred amp breaker on a two hundred eight or two hundred forty volt AC circuit.
3. Level 3 is considered fast or rapid charging. Typically operates on a sixty amp or higher dedicated breaker on a four hundred eighty volt or higher three-phase circuit with special grounding equipment.
F. “Designated accessible space” means a WAC 51-50-005 required accessible parking space designated for the exclusive use of parking vehicles with a state disabled parking permit.
G. “Electric scooters and motorcycles” means any two-wheel vehicle that operates exclusively on electrical energy from an off-board source that is stored in the vehicle’s batteries and produces zero emissions or pollution when stationary or operating.
H. “Electric vehicle” means any vehicle that operates, either partially or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid, or an off-board source, that is stored on-board for motive purpose. “Electric vehicle” includes: (1) a battery electric vehicle (BEV); (2) a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) which includes extended range electric vehicles (EREV); (3) a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV); and (4) a medium-speed electric vehicle (MSEV).
I. “Electric vehicle charging station” means a public or private parking space that is served by battery charging station equipment that has as its primary purpose the transfer of electric energy by conductive or inductive means to a battery or other energy storage device in an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle charging station equipped with Level 1 or Level 2 charging equipment is permitted outright as an accessory use to any principal use.
J. “Electric vehicle charging station – restricted” means an electric vehicle charging station that is (1) privately owned and restricted access (e.g., single-family home, executive parking, designated employee parking) or (2) publicly owned and restricted with no access to the general public.
K. “Electric vehicle charging station – public” means an electric vehicle charging station that is (1) publicly owned and publicly available such as park and ride parking, a public parking lot or on-street parking, or (2) privately owned and publicly available such as shopping center parking and nonreserved parking in multi-family parking lots.
L. “Electric vehicle infrastructure” means structures, machinery, and equipment necessary and integral to support an electric vehicle, including battery charging stations, rapid charging stations, and battery exchange stations.
M. “Electric vehicle parking space” means any marked parking space that identifies the use to be exclusively for the parking of an electric vehicle.
N. “Medium-speed electric vehicle” means a self-propelled, electrically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle, equipped with a roll cage or crush-proof body design, whose speed attainable in one mile is more than twenty-five miles per hour but not more than thirty-five miles per hour and otherwise meets or exceeds the federal regulations set forth in 49 CFR 571.500.
O. “Neighborhood electric vehicle” means a self-propelled, electrically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle whose speed attainable in one mile is more than twenty miles per hour and not more than twenty-five miles per hour and conforms to federal regulations under 49 CFR 571.500.
P. “Non-electric vehicle” means any motor vehicle that does not meet the definition of “electric vehicle.”
Q. “Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)” means an electric vehicle that (1) contains an internal combustion engine and also allows power to be delivered to drive wheels by an electric motor; (2) charges its battery primarily by connecting to the grid or other off-board electrical source; (3) may additionally be able to sustain battery charge using an on-board internal-combustion-driven generator; and (4) has the ability to travel powered by electricity.
R. “Rapid charging station” means an industrial grade electrical outlet that allows for faster recharging of electric vehicle batteries through higher power levels and that meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540. (Ord. 2011-15 § 3(part), 2011).
20.156.030 Electric vehicle charging stations – General.
A. Electric vehicle charging stations are reserved for parking and charging electric vehicles only.
B. Electric vehicles may be parked in any space designated for public parking, subject to the restrictions that would apply to any other vehicle that would park in that space.
C. Pursuant to Section 20.156.090, when an authorized sign provides notice that a space is a designated electric vehicle charging station, no person shall park or stand any nonelectric vehicle in a designated electric vehicle charging station space.
D. When proposals are subject to site plan review, such review shall be as set forth in Chapter 20.46, Site Plan Review Committee. (Ord. 2011-15 § 3(part), 2011).
20.156.040 Noticing of electric vehicle charging stations.
A. The city engineer shall stipulate time periods and cause appropriate signs and marking to be placed in and around electric vehicle charging station spaces within the public right-of-way and in public parking lots, indicating prominently thereon the parking regulations.
B. The property owner shall be responsible for signing charging stations on private property, indicating prominently thereon the parking regulations. (Ord. 2011-15 § 3(part), 2011).
20.156.050 Allowed uses.
The zoning districts where electric vehicle charging stations are permitted are provided in Sections 20.100.040.A through 20.100.040.J.
A. New Construction. If associated with new construction, installation of an approved electric vehicle charging station or battery exchange facilities shall be processed in association with underlying review.
B. Retrofitting an Existing Residential Use. If retrofitting an existing single-family or duplex residential use, an electrical permit shall be required.
C. Retrofitting Other Allowed Uses. Installation of an electric vehicle charging or battery exchange facility shall be reviewed by the site plan review committee as relates to impact to existing parking and access, signage, landscaping, screening, drainage and other public interest concerns.
D. Electrical Permit Required. All applications shall require an electrical permit. (Ord. 2011-15 § 3(part), 2011).
20.156.060 Off-street electric vehicle charging stations – General.
To ensure an effective installation of electric vehicle charging stations, the regulations in this section provide a framework to provide electric vehicle charging stations.
A. Purpose. For all parking lots or garages, except those that include restricted electric vehicle charging stations.
B. Number. No minimum number of charging station spaces is required.
C. Minimum Parking Requirements. An electric vehicle charging station space may be included in the calculation for minimum required parking spaces that are required pursuant to other provisions of the code.
D. Location and Design Criteria.
1. Where provided, parking for electric vehicle charging purposes is required to include the following:
a. Signage. Each charging station space shall be posted with signage 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. (Ord. 2011-15 § 3(part), 2011).
20.156.070 On-street electric vehicle charging stations – General.
Where authorized on the public right-of-way, electric vehicle charging facilities shall meet the following standards. Decision for placement of electric vehicle charging facilities on the public right-of-way shall be made by the city engineer, following review and recommendation from the site plan review committee.
A. Purpose. Curbside electric vehicle charging stations adjacent to on-street parking spaces are reserved for charging electric vehicles.
B. Size. A standard size parking space may be used as an electric vehicle charging station.
C. Location and Design Criteria.
1. Where provided, parking for electric vehicle charging purposes is required to include the following:
a. Signage. Each charging station space shall be posted with signage 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. Charging station equipment located within a sidewalk shall not interfere with accessibility requirements of WAC 51-50-005.
d. Clearance. Charging station equipment mounted on pedestals, light posts, bollards or other devices shall be a minimum of twenty-four inches clear from the face of curb.
e. Lighting. Where charging station equipment is installed, adequate site lighting shall exist, unless charging is for daytime purposes only.
f. Charging Station Equipment. Charging station outlets and connector devices shall be no less than thirty-six inches or no higher than forty-eight inches from the top of surface where mounted, and shall contain a retraction device and/or a place to hang permanent cords and connectors sufficiently above the ground or paved surface.
g. Charging Station Equipment Protection. When the electric vehicle charging station space is perpendicular or at an angle to curb face and charging equipment, adequate equipment protection, such as wheel stops or concrete-filled steel bollards, shall be used.
h. Location. Placement of a single electric vehicle charging station is preferred at the beginning or end stall on a block face.
.
Figure 20.156.070-1
(Ord. 2011-15 § 3(part), 2011).
20.156.080 Accessibility.
Where electric vehicle charging stations are provided in parking lots or parking garages, 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. The following figures illustrate two options for providing for accessible electric vehicle charging stations:
Figure 20.156.080-1 Off-Street Accessible Electric Vehicle Charging Station – Option 1
Figure 20.156.080-2 Off-Street Accessible Electric Vehicle Charging Station – Option 2
(Ord. 2011-15 § 3(part), 2011).
20.156.090 Signage.
A. The following signs shall be used to identify:
1. Electric vehicle charging station;
2. Prohibition against nonelectric cars utilizing electronic vehicle charging station space;
3. Limits on the time an electronic vehicle charging station space can be used by one vehicle within a specific time period posted.
12" X 12"
12" X 18"
12" X 18"
B. The following directional signs, or alternate signs approved under Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) may be posted where permitted in association with approved electric vehicle charging stations in parking lots and parking garages.
24" X 18"
24" X 24"
24" X 9"
(Ord. 2011-15 § 3(part), 2011).
20.156.100 Violations – Penalties.
Violations of this chapter shall be punishable pursuant to Chapter 10.13. (Ord. 2011-15 § 3, 2011).
20.156.110 Appeal.
Decisions based on the development requirements of this chapter may be appealed in accordance with Chapter 20.38, Closed Record Decisions and Appeals. (Ord. 2011-15 § 3(part), 2011).