Electric Vehicle Parking

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California vehicle code on EV charging

California Vehicle Code section 22511 regulates the use of electric vehicle charging spaces. Spaces equipped with electric vehicle equipment are "charging" spaces and not "parking" spaces because these spaces were constructed for the sole purpose of charging an electric vehicle. 

It is a violation of the California Vehicle Code to leave any vehicle in a charging space if it is not actively charging. It is also a violation of the law to obstruct, block, or bar access to any space intended for electric vehicles. 

Any vehicle occupying an electric vehicle charging space without actively charging is a vehicle utilizing the space for parking and will be cited. 

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EV Charging Law CA VEH SECTION 22511

FY24/25 Budget Approved - EV charging fees

On June 11, 2024, the Sacramento City Council approved the Proposed FY25 Budget which includes the assessement of charging fees for use of any electric vehicle ChargePoint station at all City-owned facilities.  This includes libraries, community centers, and parks.

Charging fees are only assessed for use of EV chargers and are separate from any  general parking fees. Parking fees apply to parking of vehicles in any parking stall in the facility. Charging fees apply only to the use of an electric vehicle charging station. 

Fees will  be assessed after July 1, 2024 and activation of each site will vary. Please check the signs and charger screen at each site for activation and rates. Stations that are not yet activated will continue to reflect "free" on the price screen. 
 

Charging rates per kWh

  • SMUD Off-Peak Hours: $0.20 per kWh 
  • SMUD Mid-Peak Hours: $0.25 per kWh 
  • SMUD Peak Hours: $0.30 per kWh
  • Sacramento Valley Station (SMUD meter): $0.25 per kWh transaction fee

Rates per kWh include current SMUD electricity rates, charging equipment maintenance costs, and ChargePoint fees.

Overstay fee: $10/hour overstay fee assessed by ChargePoint on the membership account if the vehicle remains plugged in past the posted time limit at any City-owned facility.

Electric vehicles in City-owned facilities

Electric vehicle drivers without a monthly parking pass are charged the parking facility hourly rate and may park in any non-EV parking stall. Parking in a stall designated for Disabled Person permit holders is restricted only to vehicles with those state-issued credentials.

Drivers may utilize any EV charging spaces for an additional fee through the ChargePoint mobile app. Spaces with EV charging equipment are not parking spaces. EV charging spaces require active charging to occupy the space. Use of charging spaces are subject to time limits and payment of any fees via the ChargePoint mobile app. Vehicles must be moved to a regular parking stall when the time limit is reached to allow other EV to utilize the space and avoid any overstay fees.

Charging spaces adjacent to crosshatched markings or posted with signage for accessible (DP) use are open to all EV vehicles to use and not limited to those vehicles with DP credentials. As a courtesy, please leave these spaces available for drivers with a disability so they may also charge their vehicles unless no other charging spaces are available. All vehicles utilizing an EV charging space are required to pay any applicable fees, regardless of whether they have a disabled person permit or not. 

EV charging spaces

City facilities offer ChargePoint chargers. The garage daily rate is for access to the parking facility and does not include use of EV charging spaces. Use of the EV charging spaces require payment of a fee via the ChargePoint mobile app. Please check posted signage or the charger screen to view applicable fees. 

Spaces with EV chargers are provided for active charging only and are not parking spaces. These spaces are posted with time limits to allow other EV to utilize the space. Vehicles occupying EV charging spaces may be subject to a citation if the vehicle is: (1) not an EV; (2) an EV that is not actively charging; or (3) if the EV is in the space without authorization.

Charging spaces are enforced by City of Sacramento Parking Enforcement and payment of any fees, including overstay violation fees, are through the ChargePoint mobile app.  

Monthly EV parking

Designated City-owned facilities with EV chargers offer discounted monthly parking permits that are 50% off the already discounted monthly facility rate. Monthly parking is subject to availability and may be requested by submitting an interest form online.  Submission of a current CA DMV registration for the vehicle reflecting that it is 100% EV is required every year to maintain the permit. Hybrid vehicles do not qualify. 

The monthly EV parking permit fee allows parking in any legal parking space at that facility.

To apply for monthly garage parking, view the Garage Parking Rates page to choose a facility that offers special monthly rates for EV. Then click on the Monthly Parking Availability link to submit a request for monthly parking

Accessible charging spaces

Electric vehicle charging spaces designed to accommodate vehicles equipped for disabled persons are provided to accommodate drivers with disabled placards and plates. However, unlike DP parking spaces, these EV spaces are not legally restricted for the exclusive use of drivers with those credentials.  

These charging spaces are open to any EV driver and are contructed as accessible spaces to accommodate vehicles that need it. Drivers not in need of an accessible space to charge should extend the courtesy of using the other charging stations to keep these stations open for drivers who do need accessible spaces. 

Drivers with DP credentials who are not driving an EV are prohibited from occupying accessible EV charging spaces. Additionally, on-street parking exemptions provided to DP credential holders do not apply to EV charging spaces on the street or in parking facilities. EV drivers with DP credentials are subject to the same posted regulations and time limits as all other drivers utilizing EV charging spaces. 

EV street charging

Electric vehicles occupying charging spaces on the street are subject to all posted regulations, including meter fees, charging rates, and time restrictions. Violation of posted signage or not utilizing the space to actively charge may result in a parking citation.

Spaces that do not have charging equipment but are marked or posted for electric vehicles are EV parking spaces and may occupy the space without the requirement of actively charging. Obstruction of these spaces by other other vehicles to interfere with use of these parking spaces is a violation of the California Vehicle Code. 

EV spaces without charging equipment

Spaces without charging equipment that are posted and signed for EV are considered "parking spaces" for EV parking. 

Any obstructions of these EV parking spaces as defined by the California Vehicle Code may result in a parking citation or tow. 

ChargePoint locations

List of charging stations in City-owned parking facilities 

FacilityEV Charger ModelQuantity & Facility Level
Capitol Garage (10th & L St.)SAE-J1772

6 (2nd Level)

7 (3rd Level)

City Hall Garage (10th & I St, 11th & I St.)SAE-J1772

11 (2nd Level)

29 (8th Level)

Tower Bridge Garage (Front St. & Capitol Mall)SAE-J177210 (1st Level)
Old Sacramento Garage (2nd & I St.)SAE-J177210 (1st Level)
Memorial Garage (14th & H St., 15th & H St.)SAE-J177212 (1st Level)
Sacramento Valley Station (5th St. & I St.)DC Fast Charger (CHAdeMO & CCS)2 (Ground Level)

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