Imperial County, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)
Key Facts
- Single-family requirement
- 40-amp dedicated circuit
- Multifamily (3-16 units)
- 3% of spaces EVSE-capable
- Multifamily (17+ units)
- Half of EVSE spaces active
- Waiver available
- If cost exceeds $400/unit
Summary
New residential and nonresidential development in unincorporated Imperial County must provide electric-vehicle-ready parking: a dedicated circuit for single-family homes and a percentage of EVSE-capable spaces for multifamily and nonresidential projects.
Multifamily (MF) Dwellings, Three to Sixteen (16) Units: Three percent of the total number of provided parking spaces shall be EVCS capable of future installation of EVSE as required by California Green Building Standards Code, Section 4.106.4.2 to provide EVCS readiness. Calculations for the number of EV charging spaces shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number, and at no case shall the number of dedicated parking space(s) be less than one.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 90501.19 requires new single-family and duplex units to install a dedicated 40-amp, 208/240-volt circuit for future EV charging. Multifamily projects with three or more units must make at least 3% of parking spaces EVSE-capable, rounded up with a minimum of one space; projects over 16 units must actively wire half of those spaces for daily use. Nonresidential developments face the same 3% standard under a table keyed to total parking count. The Planning Director may waive the requirement where there is no adequate power supply, or where compliance would add more than $400 per unit in utility-side costs.
Violations & Fines
New construction that skips the required EV-ready circuit or EVSE-capable parking spaces can be denied a building permit or certificate of occupancy under § 90501.19 until it meets the standard, absent an approved feasibility waiver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do new homes in unincorporated Imperial County need EV charging?
How many parking spaces at a new apartment complex must support EV charging?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Imperial County
California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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