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

Imperial County does not maintain its own electric-vehicle charging-space parking rule, so the controlling law in the unincorporated area is California Vehicle Code Section 22511. That statute lets a local authority or facility owner designate on-street or off-street stalls for electric-vehicle charging and reserve them for vehicles that are connected for charging purposes. To be enforceable, the space must be marked and posted with a sign at least 17 by 22 inches, with lettering at least one inch high, stating that unauthorized vehicles not connected for electric charging will be towed at the owner's expense, along with the address and a phone number to reclaim a towed vehicle. A vehicle parked in such a space that is not connected for charging may be removed to the nearest public garage after the owner or local authority notifies the police or sheriff. The statute relies on towing rather than a fixed statutory fine as its enforcement mechanism. EV charging equipment installed at homes or businesses on private parcels also goes through the county's building-permit process under Planning & Development Services, but the parking restriction itself is a state-law matter.