Electric Vehicle Parking Regulations
San Diego Municipal Code § 86.0151
in effect§86.0151 Electric Vehicle Parking Regulations
(a) Definitions.
(1) Electric vehicle means either a battery electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
(2) Battery electric vehicle means a vehicle fueled entirely by electricity stored in the onboard battery. This type of vehicle is often referred to as a zero emission vehicle.
(3) Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle means a vehicle that is fueled by both a battery and another fuel source, such as a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine. This type of vehicle runs on electricity from the onboard battery until the battery is exhausted and then switches to an alternate power source.
(4) Charger means an electrical component assembly or cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries or other energy storage devices within electric vehicles.
(5) Actively charging means the time during which the connector from the charger at a charging station is inserted into the inlet and electrical power is being transferred for the purpose of recharging the electric vehicle’s on-board batteries.
(6) Electric vehicle charging station means a parking space that is served by a charger.
(7) Electric vehicle charging station zone means a dedicated parking zone for electric vehicles to park and actively connect to chargers.
(8) Connector means a device inserted into the inlet for an electric vehicle that establishes an electrical connection from the charger to the electric vehicle for the purpose of charging and exchanging information.
(9) Inlet means the device on the electric vehicle into which the connector is inserted for charging and information exchange.
(b) Only plug-in electric vehicles that are actively charging, as indicated by the electric vehicle charging station monitor display, may be parked at electric vehicle charging stations or in electric vehicle charging station zones located on any street or any parking facility owned, leased, or operated by the City of San Diego.
(c) No person shall park or cause to be parked or allow to remain standing any vehicle at an electric vehicle charging station or in an electric vehicle charging station zone located on any street or in any parking facility owned, leased, or operated by the City of San Diego, unless the vehicle is an electric vehicle, is actively charging, and has not exceeded any applicable parking time limit.
(“Electric Vehicle Parking Regulations” added 8-25-2015 by O-20560 N.S.; effective 9-24-2015.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter08/Ch08Art06Division01.pdf#page=25Fetched: 10/28/2026