Merced County, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)

150(A) requires electric and alternative fuel vehicle parking for all new residential and non-residential projects, additions, or alterations that add 10 or more vehicular parking spaces, following Table 3-11 alongside the California Building Code and California Green Code. Table 3-11's schedule requires no dedicated spaces for developments providing 1 to 9 total spaces, 1 space at the 10-to-25-space tier, climbing to 3 spaces at 26-50, 6 at 51-75, 8 at 76-100, 11 at 101-150, 16 at 151-200, and at least 8 percent of total spaces for any development over 200 spaces.

Subsection (B) makes preferential parking for alternative fuel vehicles encouraged rather than mandatory but requires any such space to carry a sign or pavement marking restricting it to alternative fuel vehicles, positioned as close as possible to the primary entrance without conflicting with ADA-required spaces or carpool/vanpool preferential parking. Subsection (C) allows sites that already have vehicle recharging stations to dual-designate those spaces as both charging stations and preferential EV parking. Subsection (D) requires EV and alternative-fuel parking areas to carry exterior lighting for security and so drivers can operate the charging equipment, shielded and directed downward to limit glare on neighboring properties, and subsection (E) bars any recharging station from blocking or impeding pedestrian access along a sidewalk.

Subsection (G) lets the Director grant a case-by-case exception from the installation requirement where electrical supply is insufficient or where meeting the standard would raise utility-side infrastructure costs by more than $400 per dwelling unit.