Paulding County, GA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)
Key Facts
- Size cap
- 2,500 sq ft maximum charging structure
- Residential status
- Special Exception in 10 residential districts
- Commercial status
- By-right permitted use in commercial/industrial zones
- Review authority
- Zoning Administrator certifies special exceptions
- Approval expiration
- Void after 12 months without a permit
Summary
Paulding County's Unified Development Ordinance treats electric vehicle charging stations as an accessory use governed by Section 230-30.01, which caps any charging structure at 2,500 square feet regardless of zoning district. In the county's ten residential districts, from A-1 Agricultural through R-55, a charging station is a Special Exception Use reviewed by the Zoning Administrator; in commercial, office and industrial districts it is a straight permitted use.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station (All Zoning Districts) provided charging structures do not exceed 2,500 square feet
Electronics and Appliance Stores (B-1, PSC) provided selling retail only.
Emission Inspection Station (B-1, PSC, B-2, I-1) provided:
1.A Certificate of authorization as an emission inspection station authorized to carry out the emission inspections required by O.C.G.A. § 12-9-40 et al has been issued by the Department of Natural Resources.2.No repairs are conducted on-site. Family Child Care Learning Home (A-1, ER, R-1, R-2, R-3, MPR, OSRD, RD, MHP) provided all requirements of Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Rules and Regulations 290-2-3 et seq. as may be amended have been met.
Farm Wineries (AB) in accordance with Chapter 6, Article II of the Code of Paulding County, Georgia.
Food Services and Drinking Places, excluding Bars (O-I) provided it is located within an office building.
Forestry and Logging (A-1, ER, R-1, R-2) provided:
1.The owner/developer shall use the recommended Best Management Practices (BMP's) as established by the Georgia Forestry Commission.2.A 25-foot undisturbed buffer from any County road right-of-way (excluding driveways) shall be maintained.3.A minimum 25-foot undisturbed stream bank buffer shall be maintained.4.A minimum 50-foot by 25-foot pad of #3 stone shall be maintained at each access to a County road.5.All requirements of O.C.G.A § 12-6-24 are met.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35).
Full Breakdown
01 of the UDO, the county's Supplemental Use Standards chapter, lists "Electric Vehicle Charging Station (All Zoning Districts) provided charging structures do not exceed 2,500 square feet" among the uses that require a Special Exception. 03 for the A-1 Agricultural District and the equivalent sections for ER, R-1, R-2, R-3, MPR, OSRD, RD, MHP and R-55, the property owner must obtain sign-off from the Zoning Administrator under the Section 230-30 special exception procedure before installing the charger. That certification becomes void if no construction permit is issued within 12 months, or if the use is not established and operational within 12 months where no permit is required, though a 30-day extension request can be filed with the Community Development Department.
By contrast, the district permitted-use tables for O-I, LRO, NB, B-1, PSC, B-2, ECR, ECBP, B2CL, AML, I-1, I-2 and AB list Electric Vehicle Charging Stations as an outright permitted use, requiring no special exception review at all.
Violations & Fines
Installing a charging structure larger than the 2,500-square-foot cap, or building one in a residential district without first securing Zoning Administrator sign-off under Section 230-30, is a zoning violation the Community Development Department can cite through standard code enforcement. An unbuilt Special Exception certification also lapses automatically after 12 months, so an owner who delays construction past that window must reapply before installing the station.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Paulding County require a permit for a home EV charger?
Is there a size limit on EV charging stations?
What happens if my Special Exception approval expires before I build?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paulding County
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