[Ord. No. 2601, 8-17-2021]
The purpose of provisions contained in this Article is to provide
definitions relating to electric vehicle infrastructure and standards
to guide the development of electric vehicle infrastructure in order
to protect the public health, safety and welfare, and to avoid significant
impacts on resources and adjacent uses.
It is the intent of the City of Eureka to:
(a) Respond
to and/or prepare for the increased need for electric vehicle infrastructure
resulting from increased ownership and usage of electric vehicles;
(b) Encourage
the establishment of convenient, cost effective electric vehicle infrastructure
that such use necessitates;
(c) Encourage
the location of electric vehicle infrastructure, to the extent possible,
in areas where any potential adverse impacts on the community will
be minimized; and
(d) Encourage
visitors and shoppers to patronize Eureka-based businesses based on
the availability of electric vehicle infrastructure.
[Ord. No. 2601, 8-17-2021]
For purposes of this Article, the following words and phrases
shall have the following meanings:
ACCESSIBLE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION
An electric vehicle charging station where the battery charging
station is located within accessible reach of a barrier free access
aisle and the electric vehicle to enable access by disabled persons.
BATTERY CHARGING STATION
An electrical component assembly or cluster of component
assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries within electric
vehicles.
BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Any vehicle that is licensed and registered for operation
on public and private highways, roads, and streets; either partially
or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid, or an off-board
source, that is stored onboard via a battery for motive purpose. 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.
CHARGING LEVELS
The standardized indicators of electrical force, or voltage,
at which an electric vehicle's battery is recharged. The types Level
1, Level 2 and Level 3 are the most common charging levels, and include
the following specifications:
Level l is considered slow charging. Voltage including the
range from 0 through 120.
Level 2 is considered medium charging. Voltage is greater
than 120 and includes 240.
Level 3 is considered fast or rapid charging. Voltage is
greater than 240.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Any vehicle that is licensed and registered for operation
on public and private highways, roads, and streets; either partially
or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid, or an off-board
source, that is stored onboard via a battery for motive purpose. "Electric
vehicle" includes: (1) a battery electric vehicle; and (2) a plug-in
hybrid electric vehicle.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION
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.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION — PRIVATE RESTRICTED
USE
An electric vehicle charging station that is: (1) privately
owned and has restricted access (i.e., single-family home, executive
parking, designated employee parking); or (2) publicly owned and restricted
(i.e., fleet parking with no access to the general public).
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION — PUBLIC USE
An electric vehicle charging station that is: (1) publicly
owned and publicly available (i.e., commuter parking, public library
parking lot, on-street parking); or (2) privately owned and available
to visitors of the use (i.e., shopping center parking).
ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE
Conduit/wiring, structures, machinery, and equipment necessary
and integral to support an electric vehicle, including battery charging
stations and rapid charging stations.
NON-ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Any motor vehicle that is licensed and registered for operation
on public and private highways, roads, and streets that does not meet
the definition of electric vehicle.
PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Any vehicle that is licensed and registered for operation
on public and private highways, roads, and streets; either partially
or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid, or an off-board
source, that is stored onboard via a battery for motive purpose. 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 onboard internal combustion driven
generator; and (4) has the ability to travel powered by electricity.
[Ord. No. 2601, 8-17-2021]
(a) This
Article shall apply to all electric vehicle infrastructure installed,
constructed, or modified after the effective date of this Article.
(b) Electric
vehicle infrastructure in place prior to the effective date of this
Article shall not be required to meet the requirements of this Article,
unless modification of the infrastructure is proposed, including upgrades.
(c) All electric
vehicle infrastructure shall be designed, built and installed in accordance
with applicable local, State and Federal codes, regulations and standards,
but shall not be less than nine (9) feet in width or nineteen (19)
feet in length. Where feasible, an electric vehicle charging station
in commercial or industrial zoned areas shall comply with ADA standards.
[Ord. No. 2601, 8-17-2021]
(a) Permitted
Locations.
(1) Level
1 and Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations are permitted in
every residential zoning district, as an accessory to the primary
permitted use. Vacant lots may not install an electric vehicle charging
station without a residential structure. Such stations located at
single-family and multiple-family dwellings shall be designated as
private restricted use only. Installation shall be subject to permit
approval administered by the Building Commissioner, who may require
upgrades to the electric service as deemed necessary in his/her sole
judgment for the safe addition and operation of the system. No Level
1 and Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations shall be constructed
on City, State or County right-of way or property, and shall comply
with all set back regulations for the zoning district. Level 1 and
Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations shall be constructed within
the garage structure, or if no garage exists shall be screened as
approved by the Building Commissioner.
(2) Level
3 electric vehicle charging stations shall require a Special Use Permit
in all residential zoning districts, as an accessory to the primary
permitted use. Vacant lots may not install an electric vehicle charging
station without a residential structure. Installation shall be subject
to permit approval administered by the Building Commissioner, who
may require upgrades to the electric service as deemed necessary in
his/her sole judgment for the safe addition and operation of the system.
No Level 3 electric vehicle charging stations shall be constructed
on City, State or County right-of-way or property, and shall comply
with all set back regulations for the zoning district. Level 3 electric
vehicle charging stations shall be constructed within the garage structure,
or if no garage exists shall be screened as approved by the Building
Commissioner.
(b) Application
and Approval.
(1) Charging
stations located in any single-family or multiple-family dwellings,
as accessory uses, shall comply with the requirements of this Article
and any applicable permitting requirements.
(2) Charging
stations located in any commercial or industrial sites shall require
a Special Use Permit and shall require a site review and approved
site plan.
(c) General
Requirements. Electric vehicle charging stations within single-family
residences are exempt from the below general requirements. All other
residential zoning classifications must comply with the General Requirements.
Single-family residential applications are not exempt from electrical
or other permit obligations.
(1) Parking.
a. An
electric vehicle charging station space shall be included in the calculation
for minimum required parking spaces required in the Municipal Code.
Existing parking spaces required for an existing development may not
be converted to charging station spaces without providing additional
parking spaces.
b. Public
electric vehicle charging stations are reserved for only actively
charging electric vehicles. 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. It
shall be unlawful for any vehicle to be parked or left standing in
a space designated for charging of an electric vehicle, unless the
vehicle is connected for charging and actively charging.
(2) Accessible
Spaces. It is strongly encouraged, but not required, that a minimum
of one (1) accessible electric vehicle charging station be provided
that is ADA accessible. Accessible electric vehicle charging stations
should be located in close proximity to the building or facility entrance
and 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.
(3) Lighting.
Site lighting shall be provided where an electric vehicle charging
station is installed, unless charging is for daytime purposes only.
Any application shall include the type and duration of the proposed
lighting.
(4) Equipment
Standards and Protection.
a. Battery
charging station outlets and connector devices shall be no less than
thirty-six (36) inches and no higher than forty-eight (48) inches
from the surface where mounted. Equipment mounted on pedestals, lighting
posts, bollards or other devices shall be designed and located as
to not impede pedestrian travel or create a trip hazard.
b. Adequate
battery charging station protection, such as concrete filled steel
bollards, shall be used. Curbing may be used in lieu of bollards,
if the battery charging station is setback a minimum of twenty-four
(24) inches from the face of the curb.
(5) Usage
Fees. The property owner or operator is not restricted from collecting
a service fee for the use of an electric vehicle charging station
made available to visitors of the property. Any amounts charged by
the property owner or operator shall be subject to all applicable
City taxes, including sales taxes.
(6) Signage.
a. Information
shall be posted identifying voltage and amperage levels and any time
of use, fees, or safety information related to the electric vehicle
charging station. Only one (1) sign per charging station shall be
allowed. The maximum size of any sign shall be seventeen (17) inches
by twenty-two (22) inches in size. No electric charging station space
sign shall contain any advertising for any business, product or service,
including that of the business conducted on the premises on which
it is located.
b. Each
electric vehicle charging station space shall be posted with signage
indicating the space is only for purposes of actively charging electric
vehicles. For purposes of this Subsection, "charging" means that an
electric vehicle is parked at an electric vehicle charging station
and is connected to the battery charging station equipment.
(7) Maintenance.
Electric vehicle charging stations shall be maintained in all respects,
including the functioning of the equipment. A phone number or other
contact information shall be provided on the equipment for reporting
when it is not functioning or other problems are encountered.
(8) Emergency
Disconnect. For electric vehicle charging stations rated at more than
60 Amps or more than 150 Volts to ground, a means of disconnect must
be installed in a readily accessible location and within sight of
the electric charging connector. If the disconnect is not in sight
of the equipment, it must be capable of being locked in the open position.
(9) Decommissioning.
Unless otherwise directed by the City of Eureka in writing, within
thirty (30) days of cessation of use of the electric vehicle charging
station, the property owner or operator shall restore the site to
its original condition, including the removal of all equipment and
signs.
[Ord. No. 2601, 8-17-2021]
If any part of this Article conflicts with any other applicable
Federal, State or local regulation, the more restrictive regulation
shall control.