Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Permit

An electrical permit is required when installing an electric vehicle (EV) charging station.

GUIDELINES

LOCATION

If your property lacks an onsite location for an EV charging station (near or in a garage), you must first determine if the proposed location is in County right-of-way or on private property. If the location is in the County right-of-way, you must apply for and be granted a franchise agreement. Review the agreement to make sure you comply with all requirements. If the location is owned by a homeowner’s association, you must submit a letter of approval from this association. If the charging station will be completely onsite, only an electrical permit is needed.

INSTALLATION INFORMATION

The conduit for a curbside charging station must be underground in the right‐of‐way, including under the sidewalk, and it is likely that trenching will also be required. Property owners are required to work with a licensed electrical contractor to complete installation.

Curbside EV charging station installations may be either Level 1 (120-volt) or Level 2 (240-volt), but must meet all the requirements of the Electrical Code; outdoor installations of  EV supply equipment (charging stations) must be permanently connected and fastened in place with no exposed live parts. Charging stations must be listed by an approved product listing agency, rated for outdoor use and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • EV charging station cords must not cross over sidewalks, walkways or driveways. Rather, station cords shall be automatically retractable. An accessible path must be maintained for persons with disabilities and the general public.
  • If an EV charging station is being proposed in the County right-of-way, it must be located in the frontage of the dwelling that it serves, and not in front of an adjacent property.
  • Installation shall be at least 18 inches from the back of the curb (in the planting strip if one is present).
  • Position the EV charging station such that the stored connector is no less than 24 inches above the outdoor grade location (Electrical Code, Article 625.50).
  • Install an enclosure or cage around the EV charging station to protect and control its use. If the charging station is not fully enclosed, the charging station cord and connector must be secured when not in use.
  • Orient the EV charging station such that an enclosure door will not open past the curb face or over the sidewalk.
  • No advertising is permitted on the charging station or associated enclosure.
  • Installation shall be at least six feet from fire hydrants.
  • The owner is solely responsible for the protection of the station and may use a concrete-filled steel bollard if there is not an adequate curb and setback.
  • See NFPA 70 latest edition Article 625 for more information

OPERATION

It is your responsibility to operate your EV charging station in keeping with the conditions of its permit. For curbside locations, maintaining a safe EV charging station is particularly critical. It must be operated in a way that minimizes potential trip hazards by including a retractable cord and connector when the charging station is not in use. It must be controlled either by a safety enclosure around the charging station or cord that is locked while the station is idle. The electrical current to the station must not be charged when not in use.

It is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain the charging station, and any associated safety enclosure and ensure it is in a good and safe operating condition. It is also the responsibility of the property owner to remove the charging station if no longer in use.

The parking space adjacent to a curbside EV charging station may be available for anyone’s use. Parking restrictions and privileges will remain effective whether it is in the County right-of-way or in a private Homeowner’s Association. Property owners may not have exclusive rights, privileges or priority for parking adjacent to an EV charging station. If you know it is difficult to park adjacent to your home or you foresee issues that would limit your access to a curbside EV charging station on a regular basis, consider whether it makes sense for you to participate in this process.

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

To learn more about the application process, read the steps and watch the videos below, or view the FAQ or full tutorial video playlist.

Watch a video to learn how to create your account or follow the instructions below:

  1. Navigate to the online portal.
  2. Select the Create Account button.
  3. Enter your email address, select Submit.
  4. An email will be sent with a link to complete the account setup. (Note: If you don't see the email is not in your inbox, check the SPAM folder. If in SPAM, mark unread before selecting the link.)

Prepare/gather all required documents as indicated above to upload when completing your online application. Be sure to name the documents appropriately—file names must follow Baltimore County naming conventions.

Watch a video to learn how to create your application or follow the instructions below:

  1. Enter the applicant and owner information.
  2. Select the property address and enter the contractor information. 
    1. In the Search and Add Contractors section, enter the contractor name in the search box.
    2. Select the contractor. The system will highlight the selected contractor in  red.
    3. Select the Add button to select the contractor. The contractor will be listed in the Selected Contractors section.
  3. Describe proposed work.
  4. Answer all required questions and enter all information related to the project.
  5. Upload required documents. 
    1. After accepting the Terms and Conditions, the Document Upload window opens.
    2. On the Plan Documents tab, scroll down and select the Browse button to select your files.
    3. Highlight the files to be added, select Open. The files are added to the Upload Documents window. 
    4. For each file, select a discipline from the dropdown list to describe your uploaded document type. 
    5. Select the Upload button.
    6. A disclaimer pop-up appears. Approve the disclaimer by selecting the Yes button.
    7. Select the Submit for Review button.
    8. When all files have been submitted, close out the Document Upload window.
  6. Submit the application.

  1. Applications will be reviewed by the Permit Processing Staff. Watch a video to learn about the application review and revisions process. Staff may leave comments and  revisions required for your permit. To view comments, follow the below instructions:
    1. Navigate to the online portal. 
    2. Locate the permit on the My Dashboard page.
    3. Select the expand icon next to the permit. Select the Action (magnifying glass) icon, which opens the Permit Application Info page. There are two ways to view comments and revisions required for your permit:
      1. From the Plan Review section:
        • Select the Open Plan Review button.
        • From the Upload Documents screen, select the Review Documents tab
        • Download the documents for review. Review the comments and feedback letter, documenting the required updates. Review the markups of submitted plans and documents.
      2. From the Tasks section:
        • Scroll to the Tasks section. If there are comments for review, you will see an Action (magnifying glass) icon in the Comments field to the right of the task’s Date Completed field.
        • Select the magnifying glass to see the comments.
  2. If all required information and documents are submitted, the application will be completed and application fees will be calculated.
  3. Applicants will receive a notification that the fees are ready for payment. Watch a video to learn how to pay application fees or follow the instructions below:
    1. Navigate to the online portal. The My Dashboard page displays.
    2. Select the Applications with Fees Due box at the top-middle of the My Dashboard window.
    3. Scroll to the My Fees section, find the permit number and scroll to the right to the Actions section. You will see a magnifying glass icon and a credit card icon.
    4. To view details for the fees, select the magnifying glass icon.
    5. To pay the fees, select the credit card icon. (Note: Baltimore County only accepts Mastercard, Visa and PayPal electronic payments.)
  4. Once payment is received, the application will be sent to all reviewing departments for technical review. Watch a video to learn about the review and revision process.
  5. Once the reviews are completed and approved, the permit will be issued.

Once the permit has been issued, the applicant will be notified via email. Watch a video to learn how to access the permit and approved plans in the applicant portal. Permits and approved plans must be available at the job site for inspections.

All construction must be completed exactly as stated on the approved permit and approved construction plans. Watch a video to learn how to schedule inspections through the applicant portal.

APPLY FOR A PERMIT

Once you have reviewed the process outlined above and have gathered your required documentation, apply for your permit online using the button below.

APPLY FOR A COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL PERMIT 

APPLY FOR A RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL PERMIT