New Brunswick, NJ Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)

Section 17.05.010 S, Electric Vehicle Supply/Service Equipment, defines charging levels: Level 1 runs on a 120 volt AC circuit, Level 2 on a 208 or 240 volt AC circuit, and a direct-current fast charger (DCFC) on a 480 volt or higher three phase circuit. A make-ready space is the pre-wiring of a parking space for future EVSE.

Approvals: an application solely for EVSE or make-ready spaces is a permitted accessory use and structure in all zoning or use districts and needs no variance. At an existing gasoline service station, retail establishment or other existing building, EVSE installation skips site plan or land use board review and is approved by a zoning permit from the administrative officer, provided it meets bulk requirements and prior approvals and complies with the Uniform Construction Code. An application is complete if it has the permit fee and documentation and no notice of incompleteness or one-time correction notice issues within twenty (20) days of filing. A permit application solely for EVSE is not reviewed against parking requirements.

New development: a multiple dwelling with five or more units, including condominium, cooperative and mixed-use projects, must prepare at least fifteen (15) percent of required off-street parking spaces as make-ready and install EVSE in one-third of them at approval, another one-third within three years after the certificate of occupancy, and the final one-third within six years. At least five percent of the EVSE must be accessible for people with disabilities. Other parking lots and garages must install one make-ready space for 50 or fewer spaces, two for 51 to 75, three for 76 to 100, four for 101 to 150 (one accessible), and at least four percent of spaces for more than 150 (at least five percent of those accessible). A retailer with 25 or fewer spaces or a single-family homeowner has no requirement.

Parking credit: a space with EVSE or make-ready counts as at least two spaces toward the minimum, with no more than a ten (10) percent reduction of required parking, or twenty (20) percent for commercial and mixed-use development in the C-4 zone. Each space not accessible for people with disabilities must be not less than nine feet wide or eighteen (18) feet in length.