Saint Paul, MN Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)

Saint Paul City Council Adopts Policy to Ensure New Development is Ready for Electric Vehicles Ordinance 24-5 requires new and expanded surface parking lots to provide conduit and electric panel space necessary for future installation of electric vehicle chargers, guaranteeing more equitable access to EV charging for all residents regardless of home type. [...] In just a few short years by the early 2030s, EVs are projected to be a majority of car and light truck sales in the US. While current EV owners predominantly reside in single-family homes, multifamily residents are increasingly drawn to EV ownership as prices decrease. Currently, 44% of St. Paul housing units are multifamily, and over 90% of the units to be added in the next two decades will fall into this category. Retrofitting parking lots or ramps for EV charging can be two to ten times more expensive than upfront installation, which is why this amendment places significant emphasis on EV "capability" and "readiness" in surface parking lots. For surface parking lots with more than 15 spaces that require site plan review (including new, expanded, or reconstructed lots), at least 80% of spaces must have a conduit connection to electrical service and sufficient electric panel space reserved. Larger lots must also ensure that 1 in every 30 spaces has wiring installed (essentially, everything except the charger itself).