Chapter 17.69
ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE
Sections:
17.69.050 Design criteria and guidelines.
17.69.010 Intent.
A. To provide adequate charging stations throughout the city of Milton for the convenience of the citizens of Milton as well as the traveling public.
B. To provide a fair and predictable review process for the permitting and placement of electrical vehicle infrastructure improvements.
C. To provide development regulations to ensure that electrical vehicle infrastructure is designed and constructed in a manner that is safe, efficient, and consistent with the character of the surrounding area. (Ord. 1769 § 2, 2011).
17.69.020 Definitions.
A. “Battery charging station” means an electrical component assembly or cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries within electric vehicles, which meet or exceed any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
B. “Battery electric vehicle (BEV)” means any vehicle that operates exclusively on electrical energy from an off-board source that is stored in the vehicle’s batteries, and produces zero tailpipe emissions or pollution when stationary or operating.
C. “Battery exchange station” means a fully automated facility that will enable an electric vehicle with a swappable battery to enter a drive lane and exchange the depleted battery with a fully charged battery through a fully automated process, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.27 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
D. “Charging levels” means the standardized indicators of electrical force, or voltage, at which an electric vehicle’s battery is recharged. The terms 1, 2, and 3 are the most common EV charging levels, and include the following specifications:
1. Level 1 is considered slow charging. This requires a 15- or 20-amp breaker on a 120-volt AC circuit and standard outlet. Level 1 charging stations can fully charge a BEV between eight and 32 hours and a PHEV between three and 15 hours.
2. Level 2 is considered medium charging. This requires 40- to 100-amp breaker on a 240-volt AC circuit. A Level 2 charging station can fully charge a BEV between four and six hours and a PHEV between one and two hours.
3. Level 3 is considered fast or rapid charging. This requires a 60-amp or higher dedicated breaker on a 480-volt or higher three-phase circuit with special grounding equipment. Level 3 charging uses an off-board charger to provide the AC to DC conversion, delivering DC directly to the car battery. Charging times range from 25 to 40 minutes for BEVs and less than 20 minutes for PHEVs.
E. “Electric vehicle” means any vehicle that operates, either partially or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid, or an offboard source, that is stored on board for motive purpose. “Electric vehicle” includes: (1) a battery electric vehicle; (2) a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle; (3) a neighborhood electric vehicle; and (4) a medium-speed electric vehicle.
F. “Electric vehicle charging station” means a public or private parking space that is served by battery charging station equipment that has as its primary purpose the transfer of electric energy (by conductive or inductive means) to a battery or other energy storage device in an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle charging station equipped with Level 1 or Level 2 charging equipment is permitted outright as an accessory use to any principal use.
G. “Electric vehicle infrastructure” means structures, machinery, and equipment necessary and integral to support an electric vehicle, including battery charging stations, rapid charging stations, and battery exchange stations.
H. “Electric vehicle parking space” means any marked parking space that identifies the use to be exclusively for the parking of an electric vehicle.
I. “Medium-speed electric vehicle” means a self-propelled, electrically powered fourwheeled motor vehicle, equipped with a roll cage or crush-proof body design, whose speed attainable in one mile is more than 25 miles per hour but not more than 35 miles per hour and otherwise meets or exceeds the federal regulations set forth in 49 CFR 571.500.
J. “Neighborhood electric vehicle” means a self-propelled, electrically powered fourwheeled motor vehicle whose speed attainable in one mile is more than 20 miles per hour and not more than 25 miles per hour and conforms to federal regulations under 49 CFR 571.500.
K. “Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)” means an electric vehicle that (1) contains an internal combustion engine and also allows power to be delivered to drive wheels by an electric motor; (2) charges its battery primarily by connecting to the grid or other offboard electrical source; (3) may additionally be able to sustain battery charge using an on-board internal-combustion-driven generator; and (4) has the ability to travel powered by electricity.
L. “Rapid charging station” means an industrial grade electrical outlet that allows for faster recharging of electric vehicle batteries through higher power levels and that meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540. (Ord. 1769 § 2, 2011).
17.69.030 Location.
A. Zones. Electric vehicle infrastructure shall be allowed in accordance with the table of allowed uses found in Chapter 17.14 MMC.
B. Compatibility. Charging stations installed as an accessory use shall be designed and sized proportionately to accommodate the demand of the underlying permitted use. Electric vehicle infrastructure in residential zones shall be limited to residential use and shall not be used for purposes of wholesale or retail sales unless authorized as a home occupation. Charging stations installed as a permitted use in commercial areas or along the Interstate 5 corridor should be sized proportionally to the expected demand and be suitable for the desired location. (Ord. 1769 § 2, 2011).
17.69.040 Review process.
A. New Residential Construction. New residential construction which proposes to include an electric vehicle charging station shall be reviewed with the underlying permits and is exempt from the requirement of this section.
B. Retrofitting Single-Family Residential. Retrofitting of existing single-family residential structures shall only be subject to applicable electrical and/or building permits, and is exempt from this section.
C. New Commercial, Multifamily or Mixed Use Construction. Review of electric vehicle charging station(s) associated with new commercial, multifamily, or mixed use development shall be through the underlying site plan review process identified in Chapter 17.62 MMC. In the case where the underlying development does not meet the threshold for site plan approval, as determined by MMC 17.62.020, the development of the electric vehicle charging station shall be reviewed with the underlying permit(s).
D. Retrofitting Commercial, Multifamily or Mixed Use. When retrofitting a commercial, multifamily or mixed use development, the applicant shall provide to the city documentation on the new impacts associated with the electric vehicle charging station. If the director determines that the new electric vehicle charging station has an adverse impact on the public health, safety and welfare, then the retrofit shall be reviewed in compliance with a minor site plan approval. If there is no substantial impact to the public health, safety and welfare, the electric vehicle infrastructure shall be reviewed with the underlying electrical and/or building permit.
E. Battery Exchange. All battery exchange facilities shall be subject to site plan review regardless of size or location. Facilities that do not meet the threshold for minor or major site plan review shall be processed as minor site plans. (Ord. 1769 § 2, 2011).
17.69.050 Design criteria and guidelines.
A. Design Criteria and Guidelines for Commercial, Multifamily, and Mixed Use Developments.
1. Minimum Number. There is no required minimum on the number of parking stalls for electric vehicle recharge stations. Electric vehicle recharging stations may utilize parking spaces required by Chapter 17.48 MMC.
2. Signs. All signage shall comply with Chapter 17.50 MMC. Such signs should include:
a. Signage to Identify. Each charging station space shall have signage to identify that is an electric vehicle charging station and identify any restriction such as use limits, towing provisions, etc.
b. Signage to Find. Electric vehicle charging stations should have sufficient signage to direct would-be users to the charging station.
c. Signage shall be consistent with the following guidance documents: “Electric Vehicle Infrastructure: A Guide for Local Government in Washington State” (July 2010) or the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
3. Size. Electric vehicle charging stations should be sized the same as a regular parking space as identified in MMC 17.48.020.
4. Public Streets. Generally, electric vehicle charging stations should not be allowed within the publicly owned right-of-way. Placement of electric vehicle charging stations proposed to be located in the publicly owned right-of-way shall serve a public purpose and receive the approval of the public works director.
5. Maintenance. Maintenance of the electric vehicle charging station, including but not limited to functionality of the station, shall be the responsibility of the property owner.
6. Lighting. Unless the charging station is designated as daytime use only, adequate lighting shall be provided for the charging station.
7. Notification of Station Specifics. Notification shall be placed on the unit to identify voltage and amperage levels, time of use, fees, safety information and other pertinent information.
B. Design Criteria for Residential Development. Installation of an electric vehicle charging station on single-family residential sites shall be exempt from the design criteria. This does not exempt installation of electric vehicle charging stations from other adopted codes such as the International Building Code and National Electrical Code. (Ord. 1769 § 2, 2011).