Newark, NJ Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- New buildings with 5+ dwelling units
- Make-Ready minimum
- 15% of required parking
- Phase-in
- 1/3 EVSE now, rest by year 6
- Accessible EVSE
- At least 5% of installed units
- Small-lot exemption
- 25 or fewer spaces, single-family homes
- Parking credit
- EVSE space counts as 2 spaces
Summary
Newark's zoning code requires new multi-family buildings with five or more units, and new parking lots and garages, to install "Make-Ready" electric-vehicle charging infrastructure. Residential projects must prepare at least 15% of required parking as Make-Ready spaces, phasing in EVSE over six years. The rule is a permitted accessory use exempt from variance review under § 41:7-5-2.
As a condition of preliminary site plan approval, for each application involving a multiple dwelling with five or more units of dwelling space, which shall include a multiple dwelling that is held under a condominium or cooperative form of ownership, a mutual housing corporation, or a mixed-use development, the developer or owner, as applicable, shall: a. Prepare as Make-Ready parking spaces at least 15% of the required off-street parking spaces, and install EVSE in at least one-third of the 15% of Make-Ready parking spaces; b. Within three years following the date of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, install EVSE in an additional one-third of the original 15% of Make-Ready parking spaces; and c. Within six years following the date of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, install EVSE in the final one-third of the original 15% of Make-Ready parking spaces.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5019615; v61 updated 2026-06-17; through 06-17-2026).
Full Breakdown
Adopted November 1, 2023 by Ordinance No. 6PSF-E as City Code § 41:7-5, the chapter implements the state's Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment law. Any application involving a multiple dwelling of five or more units, including condominiums, cooperatives or mixed-use buildings, must prepare at least 15% of required off-street parking as Make-Ready spaces and install EVSE in one-third of that 15% before a certificate of occupancy issues, an additional one-third within three years, and the final one-third within six years; 5% of the installed EVSE must be accessible.
Parking lots and garages not covered by that rule scale by size: at least one Make-Ready space for 50 or fewer spaces, two for 51 to 75, three for 76 to 100, four (one accessible) for 101 to 150, and 4% (5% accessible) above 150 spaces. Retailers with 25 or fewer spaces and single-family homes are exempt. A. 40:55D-70, and adding EVSE to an existing gas station or retail building is approved administratively through a zoning permit rather than site plan review, so long as it does not violate bulk requirements.
A parking space equipped with EVSE or Make-Ready wiring counts as two spaces toward minimum parking requirements, capped at a 10% reduction in the total required.
Violations & Fines
Failure to meet the signage, installation or phase-in requirements of § 41:7-5 is enforced by the municipal engineer under the same penalty provisions as any other Newark zoning violation: a fine up to $1,000, up to 90 days of imprisonment or community service under § 41:18-3-1, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense. Parking a non-electric vehicle in a publicly accessible EVSE space, or an electric vehicle not connected to the charger, is separately enforced by the Newark Police Division as a parking violation subject to fine and/or towing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my new apartment building have to install EV chargers in Newark?
Do I need a variance to add a charging station to my property?
Can I park a gas car in a Newark EV charging space?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newark
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