San Marcos, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)

The unincorporated County has not adopted a distinct ordinance governing parking at electric-vehicle charging spaces; this area is controlled by California state law, which the Sheriff enforces. Under California Vehicle Code Sec. 22511, a local authority or a person in lawful possession of an off-street parking facility may designate stalls or spaces for the exclusive purpose of charging and parking a vehicle connected for electric charging. California Vehicle Code Sec. 22511.1 then provides that a person shall not park or leave a vehicle standing in a space designated under Sec. 22511 unless the vehicle is connected for electric charging purposes, and that a person shall not obstruct, block, or otherwise bar access to those charging spaces. A non-electric vehicle, or an EV not plugged in, parked in a properly signed and marked charging space is subject to citation. While the County has not layered its own street ordinance on top of these rules, new development in the unincorporated areas must provide EV-ready and EV-charging infrastructure as required by the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) adopted through the County's building regulations. For privately owned charging stations, the property owner sets posted conditions consistent with state law.