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Gaithersburg moves to clarify sidewalk‑parking rules and add electric‑vehicle charging enforcement
Summary
Police and public‑works staff proposed April 21 clarifications to sidewalk parking rules to prevent driveway exceptions from allowing sidewalk obstructions, and introduced a new code section to reserve and enforce EV charging stalls consistent with state and county standards; council introduced the ordinance and set a May 19 public hearing.
City staff told the council on April 21 they will amend municipal code language to remove an interpretation that allowed vehicles to partially block sidewalks when parked in driveways, and to add a new section authorizing enforcement of reserved plug‑in electric vehicle (EV) charging stalls.
Lieutenant Delgado said officers and parking staff had first attempted education and warnings in areas where vehicles were blocking sidewalks, but discovered the code’s phrasing created ambiguity. Staff proposed moving a short phrase in the ordinance to eliminate the driveway exception that could be read to permit sidewalk encroachment.
The council also reviewed proposed language to mirror state and Montgomery County provisions reserving marked spaces for charging EVs and allowing enforcement where proper signage is posted. Staff noted the city already hosts public charging stations (including Pepco‑operated stalls under a licensing agreement at several locations) and that signage across city properties is being standardized to meet the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and state requirements. Under the draft code, enforcement applies only where compliant signage is posted and will carry the maximum fine printed on the sign.
Why it matters: As EV adoption grows, cities face practical enforcement questions — reserving charging spaces and ensuring chargers are accessible has become a municipal code issue nationwide. Removing ambiguity in sidewalk‑parking language aims to improve pedestrian safety by reducing sidewalk encroachments.
What’s next: Council introduced the amendments and set a public hearing for May 19; staff said they will coordinate with public‑works and the city attorney to ensure signage at all city chargers meets state standards before final adoption.
