The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized the exemption of all electrical, building and sign permit fees for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) for a trial period of 18 months. The exemption was effective Oct. 31, 2022.
The exemption supports the main vision of the Carbon-Free Fairfax initiative—“a future for Fairfax County that is healthy, sustainable, and economically prosperous without local greenhouse gas emissions”—as well as the Environment Community Outcome Area of the Countywide Strategic Plan. Eliminating the permit fees for EVCS may encourage the use of electric vehicles, which is an important step toward fulfilling that vision.
A permit is still required for any new installation of EVCS, in accordance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code, and the permit holder is subject to the re-inspection fee. Freestanding charging stations also may, on rare occasion, require sign permits (for example, commercial charging stations with advertising signs). However, no permit is required if you are plugging a stand-alone charging station into an existing outlet. In addition, EVCS must comply with applicable zoning requirements.
Staff will report to the Board of Supervisors after 12 months whether the fee elimination was successful in incentivizing the use of EVC equipment.
The Board of Supervisors may extend the fee elimination beyond the 18-month trial period.
For general information on permits for EVCS, please visit Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Permits.
703-222-0801, TTY 711