Dover City Zoning Code
§ 236-43.2
Electric vehicle charging stations.
[Added 5-25-2021 by Ord. No. 1-2021]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide a regulatory framework for the construction and operation of plug-in electric vehicle charging stations in the Town of Dover. Electric vehicles provide many benefits for the public health, safety, and welfare, including reducing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and stormwater runoff contaminants; promoting savings in motor vehicle operating costs for vehicle owners; and contributing overall to sustainability goals and objectives of the Town and the state. New Jersey is becoming a primary market for electric vehicles, and the accompanying demand for charging stations is projected to grow with the increase of electric vehicle models on the market. This section seeks to promote the provision of appropriate infrastructure in the Town to support the transition to electric vehicle use, while ensuring that such infrastructure does not pose detriments to the existing neighborhoods or community character of the Town of Dover.
B. CHARGING LEVELS(1) (2) (3) ELECTRIC VEHICLE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING EQUIPMENT ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
The standardized indicators of electrical force or voltage, at which an electric vehicle's battery is recharged. The terms Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 are the most common charging levels, and include the following specifications:
Level 1: slow charging; operates on an alternating current (AC) circuit with voltage up to 120 volts.
Level 2: medium charging; operates on an alternating current (AC) circuit with voltage commonly at 208 or 240 volts.
Level 3: fast or rapid charging; operates on a direct current (DC) circuit with voltage of 480 volts or higher. Level 3 charging is primarily utilized for commercial and public applications and is typically characterized by industrial grade electrical outlets that allow for faster recharging or electric vehicles.
Any vehicle that is licensed and registered for operation on public and private highways, roads, and streets; and operates, either partially or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid or other off-board source that is stored on-board via a battery or similar energy storage device for propulsion. "Electric vehicle" includes: 1) a battery electric vehicle; and 2) a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
Any equipment or electrical component used for the purpose of charging an electric vehicle, including but not limited to power cabinets, transformers, switchboards, outlets, electric meters, circuit breakers, network interfaces, point of sale equipment, and other associated apparatus and utilities such as electric lines and cables, conductors, connectors, couplers, enclosures, and attachment plugs. Electric vehicle charging equipment shall not include equipment located within the electric vehicles themselves.
A public or private parking space installed with electric vehicle charging equipment that allows for the transfer of electric energy (by conductive or inductive means) to a battery or other energy storage device in an electric vehicle.
C.
Siting and design standards.
(1)
Permitted locations. Electric vehicle charging stations shall be permitted as follows:
(a)
Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations shall be permitted in all zoning districts when accessory to a permitted use.
(b)
Level 3 charging stations shall be permitted in all other zoning districts when accessory to a permitted use other than single family detached or two-family dwellings.
(c)
Notwithstanding the above regulations, public electric vehicle charging stations can be constructed in any public parking lot maintained and operated by the Town of Dover or other public entity.
(2)
Minimum charging stations required for multifamily residential and nonresidential uses.
(a)
All new parking facilities and all expansions of existing parking facilities resulting in an increase in parking capacity by more than 50% that are associated with multifamily residential or nonresidential uses shall include electric vehicle charging stations in accordance with the table below.
Required Minimum Number of Parking Spaces | Required Minimum Number of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations |
|---|---|
0 to 25 | 0 |
26 to 50 | 1 |
51 to 100 | 2 |
Greater than 100 | 4% of total required number of parking spaces |
(b)
For all parking lots with two or more electrical vehicle charging stations a minimum of one ADA accessible electric vehicle charging station shall be provided in any parking facility that is required to have electric vehicle charging stations. For new developments with parking areas where only one electric vehicle charging station is required, infrastructure that would allow for the addition of one future station should be required in order to address potential future statutes requiring ADA accessible charging stations.
(c)
A fraction of a space shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number for purposes of calculating the minimum required number of parking spaces.
(d)
When electric vehicle charging stations are provided in accordance with this section, they shall count towards the calculation for the minimum number of off-street parking spaces required as established in the Code of the Town of Dover § 236-43 - Land Use and Development, Off-street parking and loading.
(3)
Design and installation standards. Where provided, electric vehicle charging stations shall comply with the following standards:
(a)
The parking stall of an electric vehicle charging station shall be not less than nine feet wide or 18 feet in length.
(b)
Charging station outlets and connector devices shall be no less than 36 inches and no higher than 48 inches from the ground or pavement and shall contain a retraction device and/or a place to hang permanent cords and connectors at a sufficient and safe distance above the ground or pavement surface. Any cords connecting the charger to a vehicle shall be configured so that they do not cross a driveway, sidewalk, or passenger unloading area.
(c)
Equipment mounted on pedestals, lighting posts, or other devices for on- street charging stations shall be designed and located as to not impede pedestrian travel or create trip hazards.
(d)
Adequate charging station equipment protection such as wheel stops and concrete-filled steel bollards shall be used. Nonmountable curbing may be used in lieu of bollards, if the charging station is set back a minimum of 24 inches from the face of the curb.
(e)
Lighting of electric vehicle charging stations shall be done in accordance with regulations for the appropriate zoning district pursuant to Chapter 236 - Land Use and Development.
(f)
If the owner wishes to incorporate advertising within the charger, including electronic screens with sounds, or other features which may exist, it shall require approval of the Planning Board of the Town of Dover unless a site plan is not required, then only a zoning permit shall be required.
(4)
Signs. Electric vehicle charging stations, except when accessory to a single-family detached or two-family dwelling, shall have signage subject to the following standards:
(a)
Number of signs: one sign shall be required and permitted for each charging station.
(b)
Maximum sign dimensions: 17 inches by 22 inches.
(c)
Required and recommended notices: each sign shall clearly identify the electric vehicle charging station as reserved for use by electric vehicles for charging purposes. Additional information recommended for inclusion on the signage are as follows:
(5)
Site plan review exemptions. Notwithstanding the above, the following shall be exempt from site plan review:
(a)
Installation of electrical vehicle charging equipment at existing parking facilities, if conversions of conventional parking spaces to electric vehicle charging stations do not result in a deficiency in the number of off-street parking spaces below the minimum number required.
(b)
Installation of electric vehicle charging equipment and charging stations that are accessory to a single-family detached dwelling, two-family dwelling or existing multiple dwelling complexes.
(c)
A zoning permit shall be required for all vehicle charging stations that do not require site plan approval.
(6)
Public electric vehicle charging stations. Public electric vehicle charging stations are reserved for parking and charging electric vehicles only. It shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave a standing vehicle in a space designated for the charging of plug-in electric vehicles unless the vehicle is connected for charging purposes and actively charging. Electric vehicles may be parked in any space designated for public parking, subject to the restrictions that would apply to any other vehicle that would park in that space.
(7)
Restrictions. Except when accessory to a detached single-family or two-family dwelling, all electric vehicle charging stations shall be reserved for charging of electric vehicles only, meaning that an electric vehicle is parked at the station and connected to the charging equipment.