Santa Clara County, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)
Key Facts
- Source
- County all-electric reach code (new construction)
- Single-family/townhome
- Minimum two EV outlets required
- Larger projects
- EV-capable/ready parking; scales with size
- On-street EV space
- Set by curb color/signage (CVC 21458 green = time-limited)
- Permit
- Electrical permit via Planning & Development
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County requires electric-vehicle charging readiness in new construction under its all-electric reach code. New single-family homes and townhomes must include a minimum of two EV outlets, and larger projects must provide charging-capable parking. The County also operates a Residential Permit Parking program and publishes EV charging locations.
A city, county, or city and county shall administratively approve an application to install electric vehicle charging stations through the issuance of a building permit or similar nondiscretionary permit. Review of the application to install an electric vehicle charging station shall be limited to the building official's review of whether it meets all health and safety requirements of local, state, and federal law. However, if the building official makes a finding, based on substantial evidence, that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, the city, county, or city and county may require the applicant to apply for a use permit.
Full Breakdown
Santa Clara County adopted a 'reach code' (building-code amendment) for new construction in the unincorporated county that requires all-electric heating and appliances plus electric-vehicle charging readiness, administered through the Department of Planning and Development's all-electric reach codes. Under the ordinance, new single-family homes and townhomes must include a minimum of two EV outlets. Larger non-residential and multifamily projects must provide EV-capable or EV-ready parking spaces and, for some projects, higher-capacity charging infrastructure, layered on top of statewide CALGreen requirements. The requirements scale with the size and type of building.
These provisions are building-code obligations for new and substantially renovated construction rather than on-street parking rules - they do not, by themselves, reserve public curb space for EV charging. On public roads, EV-charging or time-limited curb space would be designated through standard curb-color and signage rules (for example, a green curb signifies time-limited parking under California Vehicle Code Section 21458). The County's Facilities and Fleet Department also publishes locations and fees for County-operated EV charging stations. Property owners planning EV charger installation in the unincorporated county should confirm electrical-permit requirements with the Department of Planning and Development before installing residential or commercial chargers.
Violations & Fines
New construction that fails to provide the required EV outlets or charging-capable spaces will not pass County building-permit inspection. Installing an EV charger without the required electrical permit can also result in correction notices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does new construction in unincorporated Santa Clara County need EV charging?
Do I need a permit to install an EV charger at my home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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