Chattanooga, TN Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)
Key Facts
- EVSE minimum power
- 32A / 7.2 kW
- EV-Ready credit
- 1.5 parking spaces
- EVSE-Installed credit
- 2 parking spaces
- Mandate
- Voluntary, not required
Summary
Chattanooga's zoning code defines three EV charging infrastructure tiers and rewards installing them with extra credit toward a site's minimum required parking spaces.
(a)There are three types of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations: .....(1)EV-Capable: Reservation of space in the electrical room for a panel to serve the future EV chargers and continuous raceway from the reserved panel space to the future EV parking space. .....(2)EV-Ready: Installation of electrical panel capacity and raceway with conduit to terminate in a junction box or 240-volt outlet accessible to parking space. .....(3)EVSE-Installed: EV charging stations capable of providing a minimum of 32amp 7.2 kW. .....(b)EV- charging stations are encouraged. As stated below, the minimum parking space reductions are voluntary and do not reduce the vehicle parking space maximums. .....(1)Where an EV-Capable space is installed, it is counted as 1.25 required parking spaces. .....(2)Where an EV-Ready space is built, it is counted as 1.5 required parking spaces.. .....(3)Where an EVSE-Installed space is built, it is counted as 2 required parking spaces.. .....(c)EV charging spaces are counted toward any parking minimums with the reductions shown. Any fractions must be rounded up. ..... (Ord. No. 14137, § 1, 7-23-24; Ord. No. 14138, § 1, 7-23-24)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Chattanooga's off-street parking article recognizes three EV infrastructure types: EV-Capable (reserved electrical panel space and raceway for a future charger), EV-Ready (panel capacity and conduit terminating in a junction box or 240-volt outlet), and EVSE-Installed (an actual charger rated at least 32-amp/7.2kW). Installing EV infrastructure isn't mandatory, but it pays off in the parking count: an EV-Capable space counts as 1.25 required parking spaces, an EV-Ready space counts as 1.5, and an EVSE-Installed space counts as 2, letting a development build fewer total spaces, though the credit doesn't raise the site's separate vehicle parking maximum.
Violations & Fines
Land Development Office site-plan review catches miscounted EV credits; a development must still meet its true minimum space count if EV credits are overstated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chattanooga require EV charging at new developments?
Does adding EV chargers raise my allowed parking maximum?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
Compare Chattanooga to another location·View the Tennessee parking rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.