Watsonville, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)

Watsonville Municipal Code § 4-5.1021, added by Ordinance 1474-25 (CM) effective June 26, 2025, regulates electric vehicle parking. It defines an electric vehicle as one that operates partially or exclusively on electrical energy from the grid or an off-grid source, fueled via an electric plug-in port, which includes one hundred percent battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids possessing charge ports. A charging event means the vehicle is plugged into the charging equipment and in the process of charging, and a charging station is a parking space dedicated to active charging events.

Subsection (b) gives the Director of Public Works, or designee, authority to designate spaces in off-street public parking facilities for the exclusive parking of electric vehicles connected to charging equipment. After designation, the Public Works Department places signs or markings giving adequate notice, in compliance with Section 22511 of the California Vehicle Code, and the restriction does not apply to the designated spaces until the signs or markings have been placed.

Subsection (c) sets the operating rules. Only electric vehicles are allowed to park in a marked or posted station for charging events during designated hours. The operator of any vehicle cannot let it park or stand longer than the posted time limit. The operator of an electric vehicle cannot let it park or stand in a station unless it is actively conducting a charging event. No person can obstruct, block, or otherwise bar access to a station unless the vehicle is actively conducting a charging event. The Police Department is authorized to cite, and to remove or cause the removal of, vehicles parked in violation in accordance with Section 22511 of the California Vehicle Code. A vehicle displaying a valid permit issued by the Director of Public Works identifying it as exempt is not covered by these regulations.