Yakima, WA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- YMC § 15.06.035
- Allowed districts
- B-1, B-2, HB, SCC, LCC, CBD, GC, M-1, M-2, RD, AS
- Accessory use only
- Must accompany an approved principal use
- Public/on-street parking
- Requires right-of-way use permit, YMC Ch. 8.20
- Excluded areas
- Resource lands and critical areas
- Enforcement
- Code compliance officers, YMC § 1.48.026(A)(3)
- Appeal path
- YMC Chapter 16.08
Summary
Yakima Municipal Code § 15.06.035 allows electric vehicle charging stations as an accessory use to an approved principal use in eleven zoning districts, from the B-1 professional business district through the M-2 heavy industrial district. Stations in public parking lots or on-street public parking areas need a right-of-way use permit instead, and none are allowed on resource lands or in critical areas.
Electric vehicle charging stations, as defined by RCW 36.70A.695(5), or as amended, shall be allowed as follows, except for on resource lands or in critical areas: 1. An accessory use to an approved principal use in the B-1, B-2, HB, SCC, LCC, CBD, GC, M-1, M-2, RD, and AS zoning districts. 2. As a right-of-way use permit in public parking lots and/or on-street public parking areas.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4980636; v1 updated 2026-08-03; through 08-03-2026).
Full Breakdown
695(5)) as an accessory use, not a stand-alone principal use. 010. 020, which bars any off-street parking area from being placed, constructed, located, relocated or modified without one. 040(A)). 08. 035 flatly excludes resource lands and critical areas from either pathway, regardless of zoning district.
Violations & Fines
Code compliance officers, along with law enforcement officers, their manager and supervisor, are authorized to enforce Title 15 under YMC § 1.48.026(A)(3). A charging station built as an accessory use without the development permit required by YMC § 15.06.020 is an unpermitted parking-facility modification; one built in the right-of-way without the Chapter 8.20 permit is an unlawful private use of public right-of-way. Either can trigger a stop-work or correction order, with appeal rights running through YMC Chapter 16.08.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Yakima business install its own EV charging station?
Are EV chargers allowed in Yakima's public parking lots or on-street spaces?
Are there places in Yakima where EV charging stations are banned outright?
What happens if a charging station goes in without the required permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima
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