Naperville, IL Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)
Key Facts
- Charging time limit
- 3 hours continuous per day
- Non-EV parked in EV space
- fine and tow under § 11-2A-14
- Station/space siting authority
- City Engineer approval required
- Usage fee
- City may charge one at its discretion
- Governing section
- Naperville Municipal Code § 11-2A-23
- Last amended
- Ord. No. 21-099, § 1, 9-21-2021
Summary
Naperville reserves marked electric vehicle parking spaces exclusively for charging electric vehicles and caps continuous charging at three hours per day under Naperville Municipal Code § 11-2A-23. The City Engineer approves every station and space location, and the City may impose a usage fee. Parking a gas-powered vehicle in a marked EV space draws a fine and tow under § 11-2A-14.
The general purposes of this Section are: (1) to facilitate and encourage the use of electric vehicle charging stations by those who own and operate electric vehicles; and (2) to establish regulations concerning City-owned electric vehicle charging stations on public property. ... 2.1.Electric vehicle charging stations and electric vehicle parking spaces are reserved for charging electric vehicles only.2.2.The use of an electric vehicle parking space shall be limited to electric vehicles for no more than three (3) hours of continuous charging per day. For purposes of this subsection, "charging" means that an electric vehicle is connected to an electric vehicle charging station.2.3.No person shall park any non-electric vehicle in an electric vehicle parking space. A non-electric vehicle parked in an electric vehicle parking space is subject to a fine and tow, per Section 11-2A-14 of this Chapter.3.Permitted Locations: The location of electric vehicle charging stations and electric vehicle parking spaces are subject to approval by the City Engineer.4.The City could charge a usage fee for charging vehicles if the City chooses to do so.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 101).
Full Breakdown
Section 11-2A-23 sets out the City's electric vehicle charging framework in two stated purposes: encouraging EV owners to use charging stations, and regulating City-owned stations on public property. The section defines "electric vehicle" to include both battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles equipped with manufacturer-installed charging capability, and defines an "electric vehicle parking space" as any marked space identified for exclusive EV use. 2, with "charging" defined as the period the vehicle is physically connected to the station. 3 makes it unlawful to park a non-electric vehicle in an EV space, and expressly cross-references the tow-away authority in Section 11-2A-14 for enforcement.
4). The City Engineer, not a private operator, approves the physical location of every charging station and EV-reserved space under subsection 3. Subsection 4 gives the City discretion to charge a usage fee for the electricity supplied, though it is not mandatory. Required signage under subsection 5 must post voltage and amperage levels, the time limit, any usage fee, user instructions, and a disclaimer that the City is not liable for equipment failure or resulting vehicle damage; subsection 6 repeats that liability disclaimer as a freestanding provision.
The current text traces to Ord. No. 12-078 (2012), amended by Ord. No. 14-007 (2014) and Ord. No. 21-099 (2021), which added the current three-hour limit and expanded signage requirements.
Violations & Fines
Parking a non-electric vehicle in a marked EV space violates § 11-2A-23.2.3 and is subject to a fine and tow under the tow-away zone authority in § 11-2A-14. Exceeding the three-hour continuous charging limit exposes the vehicle to the same citation and towing exposure. Required signage at each space posts the time limit, voltage/amperage, any usage fee, and a liability disclaimer, so a driver cannot claim the posted terms were unknown.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I charge my EV at a Naperville public charging station?
What happens if I park a non-electric car in an EV charging space?
Does Naperville charge a fee to use its EV charging stations?
Who decides where EV charging stations and reserved spaces go in Naperville?
Sources & Official References
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