Drivers of electric vehicles (EV) will have more options for charging their vehicles with proposed new rules that would require new multi-dwelling and mixed use construction to provide electrical conduit for EV charging stations.
On Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 12:30 p.m., before the public hearing, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) staff will brief the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) on proposed new zoning code amendments that would require 50% of the parking spaces in new multi-dwelling and mixed use construction to be “EV-ready,” or 100% of parking spaces if six or fewer parking spaces are provided, whichever is greater.
The proposal before the PSC would require more than new state regulations under the Department of Land Conservations and Development’s (DLCD) Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities Rulemaking, which will be effective March 31, 2023. DLCD will require 40% of the parking spaces in new multi-dwelling and mixed use construction to be serviceable by EV-ready infrastructure.
Have your say
Portlanders are invited to testify to the Planning and Sustainability Commission in writing or in person at a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 12:30 p.m. Members of the public must sign up to testify by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 12.
Learn how to testify and sign up
Community members can also testify in writing via the Map App
State and local EV-ready requirements
EV-ready infrastructure means the following per state building code (OAR 918-460-0200):
- Provision of existing electrical service, dedication of space in a building for future provision, or dedication somewhere on site for future electrical service to feed into the conduit.
- Conduit that leads from the existing or future dedicated space for electrical service to the parking spaces to enable a minimum Level 2 charger installation.
House Bill 2180 and State Building Code allow for the percentages to be increased through local land use processes. Therefore, BPS is proposing to require slightly more EV infrastructure in new multi-dwelling construction.
| Regulations apply to: | Building Code requirement effective 7/1/22 | DLCD State Land Use Requirements effective 3/31/23 | New Portland zoning regulations |
|---|---|---|---|
| New multi-dwelling and mixed use buildings that include at least five dwelling units | 20% of the parking spaces must provide EV-ready infrastructure | 40% of the parking spaces must provide EV-ready infrastructure | 50% of the parking spaces must provide EV-ready infrastructure, or 100% if 6 or fewer parking spaces are provided, whichever is greater |
| New privately-owned commercial buildings | 20% of the parking spaces must provide EV-ready infrastructure | No additional requirement | No additional requirement |