Woodside council debates limits on EV charging parking; staff to add signage and enforcement options

Council members on March 24 questioned how the town should manage parking at public electric-vehicle chargers after residents reported vehicles occupying charging stalls for days.

Council member Brown said the chargers had removed several parking spaces from public lots and raised fairness and enforcement questions: "Our EV stations took 4 parking places out...the idea that an EV station can be parked in 6, 7, 8 hours where somebody's doing his 10 for the day, I think is absurd." Brown asked how the town would enforce charging-only spaces and whether the chargers were at least breaking even financially.

A staff member said enforcement would begin with signage and coordination with enforcement officers and the sheriff's office: "Once the signs is in place ... whether it be a ticket or, or towing, we can choose that. We'll place that information on our signs." Staff also said they would investigate charger telemetry and cost data to determine whether the town is covering costs.

Council members debated a time limit. Some favored restricting parking to vehicles actively charging, while others warned that short time limits (two hours) might discourage full charging and reduce revenue. One council member urged the town to rely on the vehicle code: "We're putting up signage to say we're gonna enforce the vehicle code, which says you can be there as long as you're charging, and that's the extent of the time period that you're allowed to occupy that space." Staff said they observed a vehicle plugged in for nearly three days and would confirm whether the specific chargers apply post-charge fees or telemetry that shows active charging.

Council directed staff to prepare enforcement language and signage and to report back with information about charger operation and any recommended parking limits.