This page has information about community EV charging, such as community benefits, Fairfax County environmental benefits, permitting and zoning guidance for community associations, resources for choosing electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment, and incentive programs and resources.
Communities with available EV charging stations are more attractive to home buyers and renters. Communities with EV charging are more competitive than those without charging capabilities because once an individual owns an EV they are likely to rule out buying or renting in any communities that do not offer EV charging. Communities offering green amenities, like EV charging, are viewed positively and become preferred places to live. For example, reducing tailpipe emissions creates healthier communities, an attractive benefit for families.
EVs can be less expensive to fuel and maintain than gas vehicles. The convenience of at-home or near-home charging for members of the community makes EV ownership more practical and means lower cost of driving for members of the community.
Electric vehicles have no tailpipe pollution emissions.
The Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination leads the development and implementation of Fairfax County’s environmental and energy policies, goals, and programs, including the Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP). Completed in September 2021 and accepted by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, CECAP is a community-developed plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. The burning of fossil fuels in transportation vehicles is the source of nearly 45 percent of the county’s carbon emissions, and a major source of air pollution that causes respiratory problems. Therefore, reducing emissions from cars and trucks is a major focus of Fairfax County's environmental and climate programming.
To that end, the county aims to increase the use of battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to 15 percent of vehicle registrations by 2030. During the CECAP planning process, the community expressed its support for equitable vehicle electrification efforts, recognizing that residents in condominiums and apartments face greater barriers to EV adoption than residents who occupy single-family housing. Charge Up Fairfax advances county transportation electrification goals by directly addressing these at-home charging barriers.
Even though electric vehicles may use power generated at electric-generating power stations and batteries that contain heavy metals, EVs are much cleaner than vehicles with internal combustion engines due to three primary factors:
Community associations must comply with all Fairfax County Zoning Ordinances and permitting requirements, as set forth by Fairfax County’s Department of Planning and Development and Land Development Services.
Zoning
The Zoning Administration Division (ZAD) in the Department of Planning and Development enforces, maintains, and administers the provisions of the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance.
Community associations must complete and submit the Electric Vehicle Charging Space Review Checklist. A licensed and qualified contractor may submit the checklist on behalf of the community.
The checklist must be submitted to ZAD through the PLUS system, as an Interpretation of Zoning Ordinance record (please use the filled-out checklist as your request letter). Once approved by ZAD, the signed and approved checklist must be submitted to Land Development Services via the Plus system, with any electrical, building, or site applications.
Land Development Services
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has authorized the exemption of all electrical and building permit fees for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) through October 31, 2025. Read more about the exemption for permit fees.
Fairfax County’s Land Development Services has developed a Guide to Permitting for Homeowner Associations Installing Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. Additionally, LDS offers guidance on how hire a contractor.
A licensed electrical contractor with experience installing EVSE can help select and obtain equipment based on the features that will meet your community’s needs.
Companies such as ChargePoint, Blink, and others offer both single and dual-head charging stations that can be used as community chargers in HOA communities. Other companies, such as Blue Whale, offer customized solutions and help communities identify the charging equipment that best meets their needs.
Not sure how to find a qualified contractor? Dominion Energy maintains a Trade Ally Network, which includes companies with experience in commercial EV Charging installations. While the Trade Allies are located throughout Dominion Energy’s service area, Bowerbird Energy has confirmed that they serve Fairfax County.
Examples of terms and conditions agreements for EV charging equipment follows:
Some of the features community associations may like to consider in charging equipment include:
The U.S. Department of Energy website provides information to support Charging Electric Vehicles at Home:
"Most Level 2 products have standard safety features and status lights. More advanced, "smart" Level 2 products have features such as data collection, user interface systems, enhanced displays, charging timers, communications capabilities, and keypads. Purchasing safety-certified equipment is recommended, such as the products certified under the ENERGY STAR label, which are tested by a nationally recognized testing laboratory."
The Department of Energy (DOE) provides information on Operation and Maintenance costs.
DOE advises: Maintenance contracts should include both a response time, time for a given repair, and an overall uptime requirement. While actual maintenance costs vary based on the charging level and whether the station is networked or non-networked, station owners should estimate average maintenance costs of up to $400 annually, per charger. Most networks also offer a maintenance plan for an additional annual fee.
Policies are important to ensure the charging stations are properly used by residents and their guests. Community associations are encouraged to create a parking policy for the charging stations.
Considerations may include:
Once the charging stations are installed, it is important to notify residents about their availability and to share the policies that have been adopted by the board of directors.
For any questions on the Charge Up Fairfax materials, please contact Charge Up Fairfax Program Manager, Gina Weil, over email at Regina.Weil@fairfaxcounty.gov or by phone at (703) 324-5955.
The resources and websites referenced on this webpage are intended to serve as examples and points of reference only and are not intended to imply any specific endorsement by Fairfax County or the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination.