Greenbelt adopts ordinance to enforce EV‑charging parking spaces at municipal building

Greenbelt — The City Council adopted an ordinance that gives the city authority to enforce parking regulations at municipal electric‑vehicle charging stations, including citing internal combustion vehicles parked in designated EV spots and addressing EVs that are plugged in but not actively charging.

City manager Sam Rong told council that the ordinance aligns Greenbelt with state law, enabling local enforcement and citation authority. During the discussion council members and staff referenced penalty amounts; the transcript records both $40 and $100 being mentioned during the debate. Staff emphasized the ordinance does not set a novel fee schedule but implements state enforcement mechanisms; the packet and final ordinance tie local authority to state statutes permitting citation of non‑EV vehicles in EV spots.

Why it matters: supporters said active enforcement protects access for drivers who need to charge and prevents EV spots from being used for long‑term parking. Council approved the ordinance on second reading in a roll‑call vote, with the clerk recording ayes from members present. Enforcement details, including any fine amounts or time limits on active charging, will follow the state framework and city administrative rules.