Chapter 25.126
ELECTRIC VEHICLE FACILITIES
Sections:
25.126.020 General provisions.
25.126.040 Process for review.
25.126.050 Design criteria and guidelines.
25.126.010 Purpose.
(1) To provide opportunities for DuPont residents to have safe and efficient personal electric charging stations located at their place of residence;
(2) To provide opportunities for adequate and convenient electric vehicle charging stations to serve the needs of the traveling public;
(3) To provide the opportunity for commercial and industrial projects to supply electrical vehicle charging station services to their customers and employees;
(4) To create standard criteria and performance standards to encourage and promote safe, efficient and cost effective electric vehicle charging opportunities in a full range of zoning districts and settings for convenience of service to those that use electric vehicles. (Ord. 11-919 § 15)
25.126.020 General provisions.
(1) Use of Specially Designated Charging Stalls. Electric vehicle charging stations should be reserved for parking and charging electric vehicles only.
(2) Electric Vehicles Parking. Electric vehicles may be parked in any space designated for public parking, subject to the restrictions that would apply to any other non-electric vehicle that would otherwise park in that space. (Ord. 11-919 § 15)
25.126.030 Where permitted.
(1) Charging Stations. Charging stations, identified by specific charging levels, are allowed within specific districts as established within this code; provided, that all other requirements for the building or space the use occupies, such as fire code and building code requirements, are met.
(2) Battery Exchange Stations. “Battery exchange stations” are allowed within specific districts as established within this code; provided, that all other requirements for the building or space the use occupies, such as fire code and building code requirements, are met. “Battery exchange stations” are specifically prohibited in residential zones.
(3) Public Streets. Generally charging stations may be located along public streets where they can be located so as to not significantly impact the landscaping and aesthetic components of the streetscape. Sites within the public streetscape must be approved by the public works director. (Ord. 11-919 § 15)
25.126.040 Process for review.
(1) New Residential Construction. If associated with new residential construction, installation of a charging station shall be processed when possible in association with the underlying permitting process. In some cases, additional building and/or electrical permits may be required in order to conform to the appropriate standards of the International Building Code (IBC) and National Electrical Code (NEC).
(2) Retrofitting Single-Family Residential. When retrofitting a single-family home for an electric vehicle charging station, an electrical permit shall be required from the State Department of Labor and Industries.
(3) Retrofitting an Industrial Site, Commercial Site, Multifamily Residential or Community Site in a Residential Development.
(a) Type I Review Required. Because retrofitting for a charging station(s) in an existing industrial, commercial, multifamily, or community site in a residential development could significantly impact parking, landscaping, signing, drainage or other public interest concerns, the application shall be processed as a Type I procedure as set forth in DMC 25.175.010.
(b) Electrical Permit Required. All charging station(s) in an existing industrial, commercial, multifamily, or community site in a residential development shall require an electrical permit.
(4) Battery Exchange. If the facility includes a battery exchange station, or is associated with a new commercial activity, the application shall be processed as a Type II procedure as set forth in DMC 25.175.010. (Ord. 11-919 § 15)
25.126.050 Design criteria and guidelines.
(1) Design Criteria for Industrial, Commercial and Multifamily Development or Community-owned Areas of a Residential Development. The following criteria shall be applied to electric charging facilities.
(a) Number Required. No minimum number of stalls is required, since an electric vehicle charging station is an optional improvement. If parking stalls are reserved for electric vehicles, they shall be included in calculating the parking requirement of the primary land use.
(b) Generally. Location and layout of electric vehicle parking is expected to vary based on the design and use of the primary parking lot. It is expected that flexibility may be necessary to provide the most convenient and functional service to users. Standards and criteria should be considered guidelines and flexibility should be considered when alternatives can better achieve objectives for provision of this service.
(c) Identification Signage. Each charging station space should be posted with signage indicating the space is only for electric vehicle charging purposes. Days and hours of operation should be included if time limits or tow away provisions are to be enforced by the owner. Charging station identification signage is exempt from the provisions of Chapter 25.115 DMC, Signs, as necessary, and directional signs.
(d) Wayfinding Signage. Installation of wayfinding signs at the parking lot entrance(s) and at appropriate decision points along the public rights-of-way to effectively guide motorists to the charging station space(s) are encouraged. Wayfinding signage is exempt from the provisions of Chapter 25.115 DMC, Signs, as necessary, and directional signs.
(e) Maintenance. Charging station equipment should be maintained in all respects, including the functioning of the charging equipment.
(f) Accessibility. Where charging station equipment is provided adjacent to a pedestrian circulation area, such as a sidewalk or accessible route to the building entrance, charging equipment shall be located so as to not interfere with accessibility requirements of WAC 51-50-005.
(g) Lighting. Where charging station equipment is installed, adequate site lighting shall also be provided unless charging is for daytime purposes only.
(h) Notification of Station Specifics. Information on the charging station must identify voltage and amperage levels and time of use, fees and safety information.
(i) Location of Parking Spaces. Charging stalls should be located in convenient spots within a parking lot to encourage use of electric vehicles and consistent with requirements of the DuPont Municipal Code.
(j) Relationship to Accessible Car and Van Spaces. Charging stalls may be located adjacent to accessible car and van spaces and may include stall(s) designed for accessible car and van use.
(k) Appropriate Design. Charging facility design should be appropriate to the anticipated location and use. Facilities should be able to be readily identified by electric vehicle users but blend with the surrounding landscape and architecture of the site. Design review, pursuant to Chapter 25.70 DMC, is not required for an electric vehicle charging facility. Design review, pursuant to Chapter 25.70 DMC, is required for a battery exchange station in the mixed use or commercial zone.
(l) Land Use Compatibility. For land use compatibility purposes, the charging activity should be proportionate to the associated permitted use. For example, a Level 1 or 2 “electric vehicle charging station(s)” designed to serve the occupants of a single-family home shall be permitted in association with a single-family use, whereas a charging station(s) installed in a parking lot at a commercial destination, or located in a vehicle service station in close proximity to Interstate 5, is expected to have intensive use and shall be permitted to have multiple “fast charging stations” to serve expected demand.
(m) Size. Where provided, vehicle charging stalls shall be standard size parking stalls as defined by Chapter 25.95 DMC. (Ord. 11-919 § 15)