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Council adopts EV‑readiness requirement for multifamily developments after debate
Summary
Moab City Council voted 3–1 to adopt Ordinance 2025‑13, requiring multifamily developments to provide EV‑capable and EV‑ready parking (10% each). Councilors debated whether to require installed chargers rather than conduit in renter‑occupied projects and whether to send the ordinance back to the planning commission.
The Moab City Council on Aug. 26 approved Ordinance 2025‑13, adding EV‑readiness standards for multifamily developments to the Moab municipal code. The ordinance requires that where off‑street parking is provided in multifamily developments, 10% of parking spaces must be EV‑capable (conduit and panel capacity) and an additional 10% EV‑ready (a 240‑volt receptacle or equivalent), for a total of 20% readiness.
City staff said the requirement is intended to advance the city’s greenhouse gas reduction and air‑quality goals and to make charging easier for renters, who often lack private access to home chargers. The planning commission gave the ordinance a positive recommendation. Staff emphasized that “EV capable” refers to conduit and electrical capacity while “EV ready” means a receptacle or panel provision that would allow charging without trenching or major retrofit.
The ordinance passed on a 3–1 roll call. Council member Colin moved to adopt the ordinance without modification; Jason seconded. Council member Caitlin voted no and said she supported the concept but wanted more study of differences between owner‑occupied and rental projects and stronger incentives for installed chargers rather than conduit alone. Council members who voted to adopt said the requirement was a reasonable, minimal step that reduces retrofit costs and aligns with the council’s sustainability resolutions.
Staff said the ordinance includes review and exception procedures similar to existing landscaping exceptions and that applicants who can justify excessive cost (for example, projects that would require a transformer upgrade) may seek an exception through planning‑commission review.
City staff noted the measure is focused on multifamily housing (three units or more) because 80% of EV charging typically occurs at home and renters often lack dedicated parking or electrical access. Staff also described incentives for single‑family homeowners (a permit fee waiver option) but said single‑family readiness was not required.
Staff and some councilors discussed whether to require a higher share of installed chargers, but the council majority concluded the conduit/EV‑ready approach strikes a balance: it lowers future retrofit costs while avoiding forcing developers to install chargers they may never need at the point of construction.
Ordinance 2025‑13 takes effect after standard ordinance publication procedures. Staff said implementation will include plan‑review checks during development review, an exception review process, and follow‑up reporting to the council when projects come forward.
