Frederick, MD Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- City Code § 13-33
- Applies to
- City-owned/operated parking lots
- Time cap
- 12 consecutive hours
- Eligibility
- Must be plugged in and charging
- Enforcement
- Parking monitors or police citation
Summary
City-owned parking lots in Frederick may post signage reserving spaces solely for plug-in electric vehicles that are actively charging under Code Sec. 13-33. Non-charging or non-EV vehicles parked there are citable, and charging is capped at 12 consecutive hours.
(b)Scope. This section applies to parking lots owned or operated by the City.(c)Reserved spaces. The City may, through the installation of signage, designate certain parking spaces for the exclusive use of plug-in electric drive vehicles. For purposes of this section, these parking spaces are referred to as "reserved spaces."(d)Parking. A vehicle parked in a reserved space must be connected to and using the charging station equipment to charge the vehicle. Only a plug-in electric drive vehicle may park in a reserved space.(e)Time and hours. The use of a charging station is available on a first-come first-serve basis. Except for vehicles owned by the City, a plug-in electric drive vehicle may not be parked in a charging space for more than twelve (12) consecutive hours or in violation of any additional restrictions posted on the pertinent signage.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Land Management Code: Supplement 13 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 112).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 13-33 lets the City designate 'reserved spaces' for plug-in electric drive vehicles in any parking lot the City owns or operates, marked with signage. 5 kilowatt-hours for two- or three-wheeled vehicles) that can recharge from an external power source, including vehicles modified from the manufacturer's original specifications. Occupying a reserved space is conditioned on actual use: subsection (d) requires the vehicle to be connected to and using the charging equipment, and only a qualifying plug-in electric vehicle may occupy the space at all, so a conventional gas vehicle or an EV that is not plugged in is a violation.
Charging access runs first-come, first-served, and subsection (e) caps use at 12 consecutive hours except for City-owned vehicles, plus whatever additional time or use restrictions are posted on the space's own signage. Enforcement is split between parking enforcement monitors and sworn police officers, who issue citations under the authority of Title 26, Subtitle 3 of the Maryland Transportation Article, with the dollar amount set by the City Council's own fine schedule rather than a number fixed in Sec. 13-33 itself.
Violations & Fines
Occupying a reserved EV charging space without actually charging, parking a non-qualifying vehicle there, or exceeding the 12-consecutive-hour cap in Sec. 13-33(e) is citable by either a parking enforcement monitor or a sworn officer. Citations issue under Title 26, Subtitle 3 of the Maryland Transportation Article, with fines set by a City Council schedule rather than a flat amount in this section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park a non-electric car in a Frederick EV charging space?
How long can I leave my EV plugged in at a City charging space?
Does this rule apply to private parking lots or only City lots?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Frederick
Compare Frederick to another location·View the Maryland parking rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.