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Staff previews new electric‑vehicle land‑use rules to meet state guidance
Summary
Arapahoe County planning staff presented draft Land Development Code amendments to implement state EV guidance: new principal and accessory EV charging categories, setback and canopy rules, permitting guidance and a compliance timeline with the Colorado Energy Office; staff reported fire agencies had no objection and outlined next steps for hearings and a compliance filing.
Arapahoe County staff on Oct. 21 held a study session to preview Land Development Code changes to implement state electric‑vehicle guidance and a required compliance filing to the Colorado Energy Office.
Molly Orkeld Larson and Rae Fields described proposed amendments to add EV charging as principal and accessory uses in the county's land‑use table, revise transportation provisions to address EV infrastructure, and add definitions in Chapter 7. Staff distinguished larger 'primary use' EV projects (akin to a fueling station for EVs) from smaller, 'accessory use' chargers that serve individual parking spaces at businesses and multifamily sites. Fields said the draft would discourage placing chargers within sight triangles and would encourage locating chargers in parking stalls; she added that weather canopies that collect solar could be allowed but should not sit in required setbacks.
Staff reported only two public comments during the posting period; one raised concerns about fire department training and equipment. Fields said South Metro Fire indicated no objection and that EV charging sites are built to strict electrical and building codes; staff said they had contacted the Colorado Energy Office to identify potential grant pools to support training/equipment for any fire districts lacking resources. Staff outlined a timeline that includes additional BOCC study sessions in November and hearings in early 2026 and a compliance reporting deadline linked to January 1, 2027.
No action was taken; the session was advisory and intended to solicit commissioner feedback ahead of formal hearings.
