Forsyth County, GA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)
Key Facts
- Threshold
- Applies to buildings 10,000 sq ft or larger
- EV-capable spaces
- 9% of parking, panel/circuit/raceway pre-wired
- Installed chargers
- 1% of parking, Level 2, 208-240V, 30-amp
- Coverage area
- South Forsyth Commercial Design Standards area only
- Enforcement
- Reviewed at land disturbance/building permit stage
Summary
Commercial developments of 10,000 square feet or more inside the South Forsyth Commercial Design Standards study area must build in electric vehicle charging capacity under the Unified Development Code. Nine percent of parking spaces must be EV-capable (panel, circuit, and raceway pre-wired), and one percent must have an actual Level 2, 208-240 volt, 30-amp charging station installed before occupancy.
(4)Electric vehicle charging. Electric vehicle charging locations shall be required for establishments 10,000 square feet or greater.a.Electric vehicle charging stations shall be located outside of all required zones noted in Table 12.3 as well as parking islands.b.Nine percent of the total provided parking spaces shall be electric vehicle capable spaces where an electrical panel, branch circuit, and raceway are provided prior to tenant occupancy, ready for an SAE J1772 Level 2, 208-240 Volt Alternating Current Electric Vehicle charging station to be installed at a later date.c.One percent of the total provided parking spaces shall install an SAE J1772 Level 2, 208-240 Volt Alternating Current minimum 30 amp electric vehicle charging station. Calculations for this requirement will not utilize a rounding method.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 43).
Full Breakdown
Forsyth County's Unified Development Code Article XIII, the South Forsyth Commercial Design Standards, covers new commercial development inside a mapped study area running roughly from McGinnis Ferry Road on the south, along US 19/GA 400, to the Cumming city limits and the Haw Creek/Daves Creek character area boundary to the north. 7(a)(4) requires any qualifying establishment of 10,000 square feet or greater to provide electric vehicle charging. 3 and outside required parking islands. Nine percent of all provided parking spaces must be built EV-capable, meaning the electrical panel, branch circuit, and raceway are installed and ready for an SAE J1772 Level 2, 208-240 volt charger before the tenant ever occupies the building.
A separate one percent of spaces must go further and have the actual SAE J1772 Level 2 charging station, rated at a minimum of 30 amps, installed and working. The code specifies calculations are not rounded, so a development is either over or under the percentage, with no rounding cushion. 3; any numerical shortfall triggers a variance application under Chapter 8, Article VI rather than automatic approval. Property outside the delineated South Forsyth boundary is not subject to this specific charging mandate.
Violations & Fines
A site plan that falls short of the nine percent EV-capable or one percent installed-charger thresholds cannot receive administrative sign-off under Section 12-13.3. The developer must file a variance application under Chapter 8, Article VI and, if the shortfall is non-numerical in nature, present an alternate design to the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners at a public hearing before a land disturbance or building permit issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every business in Forsyth County need EV chargers?
How many charging stations does a new store actually have to install?
Where can the charging stations be located on site?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Forsyth County
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