EV Charging Readiness Requirement for New Residential Buildings

As of April 1, 2019, all new buildings containing at least one residential unit are required to install a Level 2 (208-240V) energized outlet to each residential parking space.

The City recognizes that over time, the majority of EV charging will occur at home. As such, equipping new residential buildings with the capacity for EV charging at a level where a full charge can easily occur during the evening and overnight is key in supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicles in New Westminster. It is also much more cost effective to provide EV charging infrastructure at the time of construction, rather than retrofitting afterwards.

Note that the addition of a new secondary suite within an existing home does not require the addition of an energized outlet.

Visitor parking stalls are excluded from this requirement, although the City’s Development Permit Area (DPA) guidelines recommend that providing EV charging infrastructure should be considered for visitor spaces in multi-unit developments.

These requirements were adopted by City Council on October 1, 2018 and are now part of Section 100 of the Zoning Bylaw.