Santa Barbara County, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)

Unincorporated Santa Barbara County has an explicit electric-vehicle parking rule for its own facilities. Under Ordinance 5163 (adopted October 4, 2022), Section 12A-25 provides that, unless authorized by the Director of General Services, it is unlawful to park in a designated electric-vehicle charging-station stall in a County parking lot unless the vehicle is an electric vehicle that is actively charging its battery. The ordinance defines an electric vehicle as a motor vehicle under California Vehicle Code Section 415 that either displays the California Air Resources Board ZEV (zero-emission vehicle) sticker or can charge its battery from an off-vehicle source that cannot be connected while driving; a vehicle is 'charging' when it is electrically connected and its battery has not reached full capacity. Section 12A-24(c) further allows overnight parking for the purpose of EV charging at County charging stations located in County lots, an exception to the 11 p.m.-5 a.m. overnight ban that otherwise applies. The County notes that it installs EV charging equipment in its lots, which is part of why clear access and these rules exist. Violations of the off-street parking ordinance are not criminal; they are subject to administrative penalty under Chapter 24A or, where applicable, civil parking penalties under California Vehicle Code Section 40200 et seq. These rules apply to County-owned or operated lots; charging at private or city stations follows each host's posted terms.