Santa Barbara County, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- County Code Sec. 12A-25
- Applies to
- County-owned off-street lots
- Overnight EV charging
- Allowed by Sec. 12A-24(c)
- Tow authority
- 72 hours after notice
- Enforcement
- Administrative or civil penalty, not criminal
Summary
In county-owned off-street lots, Santa Barbara County Code Sec. 12A-25 makes it unlawful to park in a marked electric vehicle charging stall unless the vehicle is actually plugged in and charging. Non-charging vehicles, including other EVs, can be cited or towed by the department of general services.
(a)Unless specifically authorized by the director of the department of general services, it shall be unlawful to park in a designated electric vehicle charging station parking stall unless the vehicle is an electric vehicle that is actively charging its battery.(b)An electric vehicle shall be a "motor vehicle" as defined in California Vehicle Code section 415, which either (i) displays the State of California Air Board ZEV (zero emission vehicle) sticker; or (ii) has the capability to charge a battery from an off-vehicle electric energy source that cannot be connected or coupled to the vehicle in any manner while the vehicle is being driven.(c)An electric vehicle is "charging" when it is electrically connected to the charging station equipment and its battery has not reached full capacity.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 44 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 12A-25 defines a qualifying "electric vehicle" as one displaying the state ZEV sticker or capable of charging from an off-vehicle source that cannot be coupled while driving, and defines "charging" as electrically connected with the battery not yet at full capacity. The rule applies to county-operated parking facilities under Article V of Chapter 12A; it does not reach parking lots run by the incorporated cities of Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta, Carpinteria or Buellton, which set their own rules. Enforcement runs through Sec.
12A-26: the director of general services, the sheriff or designee, and county-retained security staff can cite violations and, together with such persons as the director designates, tow any vehicle violating Sec. 12A-25 if it has not been removed within seventy-two hours of notice under Sec. 12A-26(c). under Sec. 12A-24(a), carves out an exception at Sec. 12A-24(c): overnight parking for the purpose of electric vehicle charging at county charging stations in county lots is allowed, so a driver actively charging is not exposed to an overnight-parking citation on top of the charging-stall rule.
Violations & Fines
Under Sec. 12A-27, a violation of the parking article is not charged as a crime; it is enforced as an administrative penalty under Chapter 24A of the County Code or, where it also qualifies as a parking violation, as a civil penalty under California Vehicle Code Sec. 40200 et seq. The county can notify the DMV of unpaid civil penalties and, per Sec. 12A-26(c), tow a non-charging vehicle from a charging stall after seventy-two hours' notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park a gas car in a Santa Barbara County EV charging stall?
Will my car be towed for sitting in a charging stall after it finishes charging?
Can I leave my EV overnight to charge in a county lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Barbara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Barbara County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.