Gaithersburg council adopts parking-code amendments to align EV charging signs with state law

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — At its June 16 regular meeting, the Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council voted 5-0 to adopt amendments to Chapter 14 of the city code aimed at clarifying parking references and aligning the city’s rules for plug-in electric vehicle spaces with state law.

The changes to Chapter 14 were presented to the council by Lieutenant Delgado, who said staff had revised language after a May 19 public hearing and recommended approval. “Staff recommends voting to approve the proposed amendments, and I'm a bill for any questions,” Delgado said during the meeting. Council member Jim McNulty thanked staff for clarifying the language and said he supported the changes: “I'll just, say thank you to Lieutenant Delgado and to Frank for, spending the time to look at some of that language and just make sure that it was as clear as possible… I support the changes.”

Why it matters: The amendments adjust the wording in section 14‑6(e) to clarify a driveway reference and revise section 14‑7 to make the plug‑in-vehicle rule consistent with state requirements that the vehicle be actively plugged in when occupying a designated charging space. The council heard no public comments; the record for the ordinance had been held open until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 20, and no submissions were received.

What the council did: Council member Jim McNulty moved adoption of the ordinance; the motion was seconded and carried by a 5-0 vote. The council did not state an effective date for the amendments during the meeting.

Context and next steps: Council members said the goal was clearer, more understandable code language for residents and enforcement staff. The transcript indicates the amendments were drafted to ensure consistency with state law and Montgomery County practice; the meeting record does not identify a statutory citation for the state requirement. Implementation details, including effective date or enforcement timeline, were not specified at the meeting.

For readers: The ordinance change affects signage and enforcement of spaces reserved for plug‑in electric vehicles and clarifies driveway language in Chapter 14 of the Gaithersburg City Code. The city clerk’s office or the city code on the Gaithersburg website would have the final adopted text and any effective-date information.