Waco, TX Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)
Key Facts
- Indoor placement
- prohibited except approved parking garages
- Garage protection options
- sprinkler, 2-hr fire wall, or 10 ft clearance
- Garage station location
- at grade/perimeter or uncovered top level
- Emergency disconnect distance
- 20 to 100 feet from station
- Disconnect mounting height
- 42 to 48 inches
- Adopted by
- Ord. No. 2025-813, 2024 IFC amendment
Summary
Waco's fire code amendments bar electric vehicle chargers from inside any building unless it's an approved parking garage location, and those garage stations need a sprinkler system, a two-hour fire wall, or 10 feet of clearance. Every station also needs a labeled emergency disconnect within 20 to 100 feet.
323.1 EV Charging Stations Located Inside. Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations shall not be located inside buildings and/or structures, except where approved for parking garage locations as per the National Electrical Code and this code. 323.2 Disconnect. Locations containing electric vehicle charging stations must have a clearly identified and readily accessible emergency disconnect installed in an approved location. The emergency disconnects for exterior electric vehicle charging stations must be within 100 feet (30 480 mm) of, but not less than 20 feet (6096 mm), from the charging stations, unless otherwise approved by the fire code official. 323.2.1 Height. The height of the emergency disconnect switch must be at least 42 inches (1067 mm) and not more than 48 inches (1219 mm) measured vertically, from the floor level to the activating button.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 88).
Full Breakdown
Section 10-21(4) of Waco's Code of Ordinances adds IFC Section 323, "Electric Vehicles," to the 2024 International Fire Code the city adopted under § 10-20. 1, EV charging stations cannot be located inside buildings or structures except where approved for parking-garage locations under the National Electrical Code and the fire code. 40 GPM/SF extending three feet beyond the space; a two-hour fire-rated wall separating the space from the rest of the garage on both sides down to within 24 inches of the structure below; or a location at least 10 feet from any building, fire pump, generator, transformer, critical-equipment utility room, means of egress or other parking space.
2 further requires garage-based charging stations to sit at grade along the exterior perimeter walls and within 150 feet of a fire apparatus access roadway, or on the top level of the garage with no roof or structure above. 1. 2 requires the disconnect to be labeled "EMERGENCY ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGER DISCONNECT" on a weather-resistant, white reflective sign with red letters at least two inches tall, permanently affixed near the equipment. These amendments were added by Ord. No. 2025-813 as part of the city's 2024 IFC adoption.
Violations & Fines
Fire code offenses under Waco's chapter 10 carry strict liability: § 10-2(b) states the chapter imposes strict liability for a violation and does not require a culpable mental state, given the danger created by fire and explosive hazards. The fire marshal's office and fire department personnel enforce fire code compliance, including EV charging installations, under § 10-2(a), and noncompliant installations can be required to correct before final inspection approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install an EV charger inside my building?
What protection does a parking garage EV space need?
How far must the emergency disconnect be from the charger?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waco
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Waco to another location·View the Texas parking rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.