Johnson County, IA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- RR, C, CH, AG-T, C-AG, ML, MH districts
- Minimum EV-ready spaces
- 2 Level 2 charging spaces
- Conduit timing
- Installed during site development
- Chargers required by occupancy?
- No, pedestals may follow later
- Review process
- County Site Plan approval
Summary
Every commercial, industrial, and manufactured-housing Site Plan filed in unincorporated Johnson County must be built EV-ready: the electrical switchgear must have spare capacity for two Level 2 charging spaces and underground conduit must be installed at construction, even though actual charging pedestals are not required before occupancy.
Electric Vehicle-Ready Charging Infrastructure. All Site Plans in the RR, C, CH, AG-T, C-AG, ML, and MH districts must plan for future provision of infrastructure for electric vehicle charging facilities in the following rate and manner: The Site Plan shall indicate that the electrical switchgear for the primary structure(s) on site will be installed with sufficient space and capacity to support the future installation of level two (2) electric vehicle charging facilities for at least two (2) parking spaces. Underground conduit to support electric vehicle charging facilities shall be installed during site development to minimize future damage to landscaping and flatwork. Charging pedestals do not have to be installed prior to receiving Certificate of Occupancy for any structures or conducting any use on the site.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
The UDO's Parking Lot Design Standards require every Site Plan in the RR, C, CH, AG-T, C-AG, ML, and MH zoning districts to plan for future electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Specifically, the plan must show that the electrical switchgear serving the primary structure will be installed with enough spare space and capacity to support a future Level 2 charging installation for at least two parking spaces, and underground conduit for that future charging equipment must go in during initial site construction so that landscaping and paved surfaces are not torn up later.
The rule stops short of mandating a working charger: the code expressly states that charging pedestals do not need to be installed before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued for the structure or before any use begins on the site. 25(C), and it applies only to commercial, industrial, and manufactured-housing development reviewed under the county's own Site Plan process for unincorporated land; single-family homes and property inside Iowa City, Coralville, or North Liberty are not covered by this county requirement.
Violations & Fines
A Site Plan that omits the required switchgear capacity or underground conduit for EV charging will be rejected or conditioned by the Zoning Administrator during Site Plan review, and construction proceeding without an approved plan can draw a stop-work order and a County Infraction citation under Chapter 8:8, carrying a civil penalty up to $750 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for a repeat offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do new commercial buildings in Johnson County have to install EV chargers?
Does the EV-ready rule apply to a single-family home I'm building?
How much spare electrical capacity does a new commercial building need for EV charging?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Johnson County
Compare Johnson County to another location·View the Iowa parking rules overview
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