EV Zoning Regulations Pilot - Fairfield County

EV zoning regulations address some of the public charging barriers we have documented in our research, and support a safe and positive charging experience that will lead to increased EV adoption.

Many communities are interested in having EV zoning regulations, but it can be a difficult process.

Many zoning commissions like to learn from and adopt regulations from  neighboring communities.

Our Clean Cities and Communities Coalition is reaching out to all zoning commissions in Fairfield County, Connecticut to identify model EV zoning regulations. 

We invite all Fairfield County zoning boards and commissions, as well as staff, to share feedback with us on what you believe are ideal EV zoning regulations. We are also available to meet by phone or on Zoom.

Please contact us at 203 536 4695 or email daphne@livegreenct.org to collaborate on the development of model EV zoning regulations.

Here are some definitions that may be helpful.

·Electric Vehicle (EV): Any vehicle that is partially or fully powered by electricity for propulsion: either 100% battery powered electric vehicles, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station: A public or private parking space that is served by battery charging station equipment for the purpose of transferring electric energy to a battery or other energy storage device in an electric vehicle.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE): Supplies electricity to an electric vehicle (EV). Commonly called charging stations.

Electric Vehicle Charging Levels: The standardized indicators of electrical force or voltage at which an EV’s battery is recharged. The terms Level 1, 2, and 3 refer to charging voltage, electric power and speed ranges, and include the following specifications:

Level 1 is considered slow charging. AC Voltage ranges from 0 through 120 producing 0 – 1.2 kilowatts of electricity per hour. It is referred to as a trickle charge. The amount charged in an hour depends on many factors but is typically between 4 – 6 miles of range per hour. No special equipment is required.

Level 2 is considered medium charging. AC Voltage ranges from 208 through 240 producing 7 – 19 kilowatts of electricity per hour. This level of charging is typical at workplaces and for overnight charging but can also be used to “top off”. The amount charged in an hour depends on many factors but is typically around 25 – 30 miles of range per hour.

Level 3 is considered fast or rapid charging. DC Voltage ranges from 400 - 900 producing 40 – 350 kilowatts of electricity per hour. The amount charged in an hour depends on many factors but is typically around 175 – 300 miles of range per hour. In many cases, EV's battery will be 80% charged in 30 minutes.

9 Categories of EV Zoning Regulations: 

1.) Permitted Land Uses - Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) 

2.) Parking Use Standards and Protections - Time limits/Overnight charging

3.) Supply Equipment Standards

4.) Minimum Number of Parking Spaces

5.) Signage

6.) Make-Ready Standards

7.) Parking Space Design and Location and pre-finance standards

• ADA Accessibility
• Lighting
• Cameras
• Covers

8.) Site Plan Review

9.) Costs

Municipalities in Fairfield County that have passed EV Zoning Regulations and the types they have passed.

Bridgeport: 

Parking Use Standards and Protections

Supply Equipment Standards

Parking Space Design and Location

Signage

Brookfield: 

Charging Stations and Permitted Land Uses

Parking Use Standards and Protections

Parking Space Design and Location

Minimum Number of Parking Spaces

Signage

ADA Accessibility

Danbury:

Charging Stations and Permitted Land Uses

Parking Use Standards and Protections

Supply Equipment Standards

Parking Space Design and Location

Signage

Greenwich: 

Charging Stations and Permitted Land Uses

Parking Use Standards and Protections

Supply Equipment Standards

Parking Space Design and Location 

ADA Accessibility

Minimum Number of Parking Spaces, Signage, Make-Ready Standards

Ridgefield: 

Minimum Number of Parking Spaces

Make-Ready Standards

Stamford: 

Parking Use Standards and Protections

Supply Equipment Standards 

Parking Space Design and Location

Minimum Number of Parking Spaces

Signage

Costs

Below are some examples of EV Zoning Regulations that have been passed by the zoning commissions in Fairfield County. A complete version of each municipality’s EV zoning regulations is available in our Municipal EV Readiness Blueprint or available on each municipality’s website.

9 Categories of EV Zoning Regulations with examples of model language are listed below. This is not an exhaustive list and there are many additional examples of model EV zoning regulations. This is just a representative sample to evoke feedback and conversations from zoning boards, commissions and staff on model EV zoning regulations, that can be identified and shared.

1.) Permitted Land Uses - Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) 

Bridgeport: 

1.) Private (restricted access) electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are permitted as accessory uses in all zones. 

2.) Public EV Charging stations are permitted as accessory uses to allow nonresidential uses in all zones. 

Brookfield:

1.) AC Level 1 and AC Level 2 EVC Stations shall be permitted as an accessory use by right in all zoning districts and by Special Permit as primary use. Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) EVC Stations are permitted as an accessory use and by Special Permit as primary use in all Commercial and Industrial Zones as defined in Article 4 of these regulations. Site plan approval is required for all uses except Single and Two-Family Dwellings. 

2.)  The sale of electric energy through EVC Stations to the public or to appropriately restricted occupants, guests, customers, members, etc. is permitted in all zones except at one- and two-family dwellings. Any access restrictions shall be incorporated in the site plan and approved by the Commission. 

3.) Approval for installation of any EVC Station, except for single family residential dwellings, requires submission to and approval by the Brookfield Building Department of the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Uniform Permit Application, as required by the CT Department of Public Safety, an approved building permit, and all other applicable Town and State approvals.  

Danbury

1.) Electric vehicle charging (EVC) stations designed for the temporary storage and recharging of electric motor vehicles are permitted as an accessory use for all principal uses, provided EVC charging stations, including related kiosks, power cabinets and cords, and parking spaces (1) are not placed in or prevent use of and access to required off-street parking or loading spaces, except for one-, two-, and three-family dwellings.

2.) Parking Use Standards and Protections - Time limits/ Overnight Charging

Bridgeport

1.) Public electric vehicle charging stations must be reserved for parking and charging electric vehicles. Electric vehicles may be parked in any space designated for public parking, subject to the restrictions that apply to any other motor vehicle. 

Stamford

1.) Charging spaces shall be used exclusively by Electric Vehicles for charging only.  

2.) Policies for the use (e.g., hours for charging) of the charging spaces shall be defined in Parking Management Plan. 

3.) Supply Equipment Standards

Bridgeport

1.) Maintenance. Electric vehicle charging stations must be maintained in all respects, including the functioning of the equipment. A phone number or other contact information must be provided on the equipment for reporting when it's not functioning, or other problems are encountered.  

2.) Equipment. Vehicle charging equipment must be designed and located so as to not impede pedestrian bicycle or wheelchair movement or create safety hazards on sidewalks. 

Brookfield

1.) Equipment shall be protected by wheel stops or concrete-filled bollards. Curbing may be used in lieu of bollards and wheel stops if the station is set back a minimum of 24 inches from the face of the curb.  

2.) Equipment mounted on pedestals, lighting posts, bollards, or other devices shall be designed and located so as not to impede pedestrian travel or create injury hazards for pedestrians.  

3.) Cords shall be retractable or have a place to hang the connector and cord sufficiently above the pedestrian surface. Any cords connecting the charger to a vehicle shall be configured so that they do not cross a driveway, sidewalk, or passenger unloading area. 

Danbury

1.) Bollards or similar devices shall be positioned as necessary to prevent any collision between the vehicle and the related kiosk and power cabinet.

Greenwich

1.) EVCS Requirements: EVCSs shall be maintained to ensure continuous, proper functioning or, if necessary, be replaced.

2.) EVCS outlets and connector devices shall be mounted to comply with applicable State Code(s) and all relevant ADA requirements. EVCS pedestals shall be designed to minimize potential accidents both by vehicles and pedestrians and be safe to use in inclement weather. 

Stamford

1.) Charging stations shall be equipped with adapters to allow charging for the widest range of different vehicle models.  

2.) Charging equipment shall be exempt from any bulk and setback regulations if it is fully located within a Parking Facility or on a parking lot.

4.) Minimum Number of Parking Spaces

Stamford

1.) Standards  

Level 2 or higher electric charging facilities, or similar technologies, as specified in the Parking Management Plan, must be provided pursuant to Table 12.14.  

Table 12.14 Required Level 2 Charging Facilities 

Number of   Required Parking Spaces 

Minimum   Number of Charging Spaces 

10-19   required parking spaces 

1 

20-49   required parking spaces 

3 

50-99   required parking spaces 

5 

100+ 

1   additional charging space for each 25 required parking space increment in   excess of 99 spaces 

2.) A charging space may count as one-half (1 /2) of a required off-street Parking Space. Provided, however, if Applicant provides double the number of required charging spaces, then each charging space shall count towards required off-street parking.

3.)  For each charging space, there shall be one reserved Parking Space for Electric Vehicles only. These reserved Parking Spaces shall count towards required off-street parking.  

5.) Signage

Brookfield

1.) Signage and parking space paint shall be consistent with applicable standards and shall clearly identify EVC Station Installed Spaces as well as any restrictions regarding users and time limits. Directional signage leading to EVC Station spaces is permitted in addition to any other directional signage.

Bridgeport

1.) Information must be posted identifying voltage and amperage levels and any type of use, fees, or safety information related to the electric vehicle charging station.

2.) Public electric vehicle charging stations must be posted with signs indicating that the space is reserved for electric vehicle charging purposes only. For the purposes of this provision, “charging” means that an electric vehicle is parked at an electric vehicle charging station and is connected to the battery charging equipment.  

Danbury

1.) Except for one-, two- and three-family dwellings, shall have the following words clearly painted on a facing abutting sign: “ELECTRIC VEHICLE PARKING ONLY.” 

Greenwich

1.) EVCSs shall have clear legible signage stating the voltage and ampere levels, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year operation, safety information, usage fees and payment mechanism, and contact information for operating issues.

Stamford

1.) The signs used for identifying Electric Vehicle Parking Spaces and charging spaces, shall be compliant with the City of Stamford Curb Regulations Style Guide, as amended.   In every Parking Facility required to provide Electric Vehicle charging and Parking Spaces there shall be directional signs guiding potential users to said spaces using the symbology below (Figure 12.14). See Stamford Zoning Regulations. 

2.) If a Parking Facility is open to the general public, then all Electric Vehicle charging and Parking Spaces must also be available to the public, and all directional signs in the public right-of-way shall indicate that Electric Vehicle charging, and parking is available. 

6.) Make-Ready Standards

Brookfield

1.) Pursuant to CT PA 22-25 §5 (c). While this may change per CGS in the future, as of January 1, 2023, the requirement is that for new commercial or Multi-Unit Dwelling (MUD) construction with at least 30 parking spaces, at least 10% of those must be EVC Station Ready Spaces. See Section 7.6 for detailed requirements. 

Greenwich

1.) For any new construction, EV off-street parking shall be provided as follows: 

(a.) Any new construction of a commercial, multi-unit residential, or municipal building that requires 30 or more parking spaces for cars or light duty trucks as calculated by Sections 6-155, 6-158, and 6-162, Required Parking Spaces, shall have a minimum of 10% of the total number of parking spaces allocated to EVs. Every EV parking space must have access to an EVCS that meets or exceeds current Level 2 voltage and charging speed specifications. 

(b.) Any new construction or major renovation of a public-school receiving State funds or of a private school building shall have a minimum of 20% of the total number of parking spaces for cars or light duty trucks allocated to EVs. Every EV parking space must have access to an EVCS that meets or exceeds the current Level 2 voltage and charging speed specifications. 

Ridgefield

1.) For all new construction of a commercial building or multiunit residential building with 5 or more designated parking spaces for cars or light duty trucks, there must be included electric vehicle charging stations capable of supporting Level 2 and/or direct current fast charging in at least 10% of such parking spaces.  The Commission may, at its discretion, and considering factors such as location, and proposed alterations, require less (as per PA 22-5, no less than 10% when 30 or more spaces are created) or no more than a 20% maximum of extra EV parking spaces capable of Level 2 and/or direct current fast charging. 

7.) Parking Space Design, Location and Useability (Charging Experience)

ADA Accessibility

Brookfield

1.) In addition to the usual requirements for Handicapped Parking, Accessible EVC Stations shall ensure access to equipment and cords.  

Greenwich

1.) EV parking spaces shall have a sufficient number of ADA compliant EV spaces. The Planning & Zoning Commission may authorize a modified number of EVCSs to be installed. However, the total number of required EVCS ready parking spaces shall not be reduced, and the project shall have the electrical capacity and installed conduits sufficient to accommodate the future hardware installation of an EVCS that meets or exceeds the current Level 2 voltage and charging speed specifications. 

2.) EVCS outlets and connector devices shall be mounted to comply with applicable State Code(s) and all relevant ADA requirements

Stamford

1.) A charging space shall meet the depth requirements as laid out in Table 12.2 of this section. The minimum width of a charging space shall be at least ten feet (10’), measured at right angles to the direction of the stall. 

Brookfield

1.) The EVC Stations shall be located in desirable and convenient parking locations that will serve as an incentive for the use of electric vehicles. Placement may consider separate needs of customer and employee parking areas. Appropriate sharing of parking among EV users, ADA users and others should be considered in allocating spaces.  

2.) EVC Stations are not permitted within the Town or State right-of-way except at municipal sites and adjacent to designated on-street parking.  

3.) The installation of an EVC Station shall not reduce the vehicle’s parking area dimensions below the size and standards required for parking spaces under section 6.4.5.  

Danbury

1.) Are not located in the front yard. 

2.) All parking spaces to be used by the EVC station shall meet the parking design criteria for standard vehicles specified in Section 8.C.2. of these Regulations

Stamford

1.) Charging spaces and reserved Parking Spaces for Electric Vehicles shall be conveniently located as closely as possible to the entrances of residential, office and other buildings.

8.) Site Plan Review

Danbury

1.) A revised site plan shall be submitted to the Department of Planning and Zoning for review and approval of all proposed EVC stations, except for one-, two- and three-family dwellings, and submission and approval of a zoning permit by the Zoning Enforcement Officer. For one-, two- and three-family dwellings, a zoning permit, including notation on the required plot plan of the location of the proposed EVC station(s), must be submitted and approved by the Zoning Enforcement Officer. 3-20 Approval for installation of any EVC station requires submission and approval by the Danbury Building Department of an Electric Vehicle Charging Station Uniform Permit Application, as required by the CT Department of Public Safety, an approved building permit, and all other applicable City, state and federal approvals. 

2.) Parking Management Plan

Stamford

1.) Policies for the use (e.g., hours for charging) of the charging spaces shall be defined in Parking Management Plan.  

2.) User-ability/Charging Experience - At each charging space there shall be clearly legible instructions as well as fee information for the cost of electricity, if applicable.  

Lighting

Cameras

Covers

9.) Costs

Stamford

1.) There shall be no charges or fees for the use of Electric Vehicles as compared to conventional gas-powered vehicles except for the cost of electricity to charge such vehicles. If there is an extra fee for electricity said fee shall not exceed the net cost charged by the utility for the electricity used plus a convenience cost of no more than 10% of the electricity cost.

10.) Definitions

Greenwich

1.) Electric Vehicle (EV) : Any vehicle that is partially or fully powered by electricity for propulsion: either 100% battery powered electric vehicles, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. 

2.) Electric Vehicle Charging Levels: The standardized indicators of electrical force or voltage at which an EV’s battery is recharged. The terms Level 1, 2, and 3 refer to charging voltage, electric power and speed ranges, and include the following specifications: 

3.) Level 1 is considered slow charging. AC Voltage ranges from 0 through 120 producing 0 – 1.2 kilowatts of electricity per hour. 

4.) Level 2 is considered medium charging. AC Voltage ranges from 208 through 240 producing 7 – 19 kilowatts of electricity per hour. 

5.)  Level 3 is considered fast or rapid charging. DC Voltage ranges from 400 - 900 producing 40 – 350 kilowatts of electricity per hour. 

6.) Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS): A public or private parking space that is served by battery charging station equipment for the purpose of transferring electric energy to a battery or other energy storage device in an electric vehicle. 

Stamford

1.) Electric Vehicle Charging and Parking

Electric Vehicles help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and particulate matter which cause adverse impact on the environment and human health. In order to increase the use and availability of Electric Vehicles, this section establishes minimum requirements for Electric Vehicle infrastructure.