Sacramento County, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)
Key Facts
- Controlling law
- California Vehicle Code § 22511 (no separate County ordinance)
- Who may designate
- Local authority and off-street facility owners
- Tow authority
- Non-charging vehicle in posted EV stall may be towed
- Counts as parking
- EV space counts toward minimum parking (CVC § 22511.2)
- Authority
- State law applies in unincorporated Sacramento County
Summary
Sacramento County has no separate ordinance reserving EV-charging spaces; the controlling law is California Vehicle Code Section 22511. It lets local authorities and lot owners designate charging-only stalls, and a non-charging vehicle occupying a properly posted EV stall may be towed. Section 22511.2 lets EV spaces count toward minimum parking.
The bill would require a city, county, or city and county to approve an application for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, as defined, through the issuance of specified permits unless the city or county makes specified written findings based upon substantial evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. The bill would provide for appeal of that decision to the planning commission, as specified.
Full Breakdown
Parking in EV-charging spaces is principally a matter of state law rather than a unique Sacramento County ordinance. California Vehicle Code Section 22511 authorizes a local authority (by ordinance or resolution) and a person in lawful possession of an off-street parking facility to designate stalls or spaces exclusively for charging and parking a vehicle that is connected for electric charging. It also lets a local authority designate such spaces on public streets. Under the statute, if a designated EV stall is properly posted, the facility owner or local authority may have a vehicle that is not connected for charging removed (towed) to the nearest available garage.
2 provides that a space served by EV supply equipment, or designated as a future EV charging space, counts as at least one standard parking space toward any local minimum-parking requirement. Within unincorporated Sacramento County, EV-charging space enforcement therefore follows these Vehicle Code provisions and the posting requirements; County building/zoning standards may require EV-ready infrastructure in new development, but the parking-violation rules for occupied charging stalls come from the state code.
Violations & Fines
Parking a non-charging vehicle in a properly posted EV-only charging stall can result in removal (tow) under California Vehicle Code Section 22511. Improper signage is a defense to enforcement; the statute requires the space to be clearly designated and posted before a non-charging vehicle may be towed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sacramento County have its own EV-charging parking law?
Can I be towed for parking in an EV stall without charging?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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