Yolo County, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Yolo County Code § 4-4.07
- Effective date
- December 5, 2024 (Ord. 1570)
- Rule
- Stall reserved for actively charging EVs only
- Overnight exception
- § 4-4.06(b) allows overnight EV charging
- Penalty type
- Civil, not criminal (§ 4-4.12)
- Enforcement
- Director of General Services, Sheriff, local police
Summary
Yolo County Code Section 4-4.07 bars parking in a designated electric vehicle charging stall unless the parked vehicle is an electric vehicle actively charging its battery, and Section 4-4.06(b) lifts the County's overnight parking ban for vehicles charging at County charging stations in County lots.
Sec. 4-4.07. Electric vehicle charging station parking stalls. Unless specifically authorized by the Director of the Department of General Services, it shall be unlawful to park in a designated electric vehicle charging station parking stall unless the vehicle is an electric vehicle that is actively charging its battery. An electric vehicle is "charging" when it is electrically connected to the charging station equipment and its battery has not reached full capacity. (§ 2, Ord. 1570, eff. December 5, 2024)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Supplement 2026 S-21 includes: Local legislation current through Ord. 1584, effective June 25, 2026).
Full Breakdown
07 makes it unlawful to park in a designated electric vehicle charging station parking stall in a County parking facility unless the vehicle is an electric vehicle that is actively charging, and unless the Director of the Department of General Services has specifically authorized otherwise. The section defines charging precisely: a vehicle is 'charging' only when it is electrically connected to the charging station equipment and its battery has not yet reached full capacity, so a fully charged electric vehicle left plugged in, or any non-charging vehicle occupying the stall, does not satisfy the rule.
04(e) separately defines 'electric vehicle' as a motor vehicle under California Vehicle Code Section 415 that either displays the state ZEV sticker or can charge its battery from an off-vehicle power source that cannot be connected while driving. 06(b) carves out an exception for overnight parking at County EV charging stations, provided the driver still complies with the chapter's other requirements and any rules posted at that specific lot. 11, which authorizes the Director of General Services, the Sheriff, or local law enforcement with primary jurisdiction to cite or tow vehicles violating this chapter, with towing conducted consistent with California Vehicle Code Section 22651.
Violations & Fines
Violations of the parking chapter, including Section 4-4.07, are civil rather than criminal under Section 4-4.12: enforceable through California Vehicle Code Section 40200 et seq., with citations meeting Vehicle Code Section 40202 and civil penalty amounts set in the County's Master Fee Schedule. Vehicles blocking an EV stall without charging can also be towed under Vehicle Code Section 22651 where signage is posted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park my gas car in a Yolo County EV charging stall?
Can I leave my electric vehicle in the charging stall overnight?
What counts as 'charging' under this rule?
What happens if I get cited for misusing an EV stall?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yolo County
California rules heatmap·Compare Yolo County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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