Land Development Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Friday, 9:15 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please note that visitors may not be added to in-person queues past 3:45 p.m.
703-222-0801 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy
Fairfax, VA 22035
Bill Hicks
Director

Department Resources

Guide for HOAs Installing Electric Vehicle Charging Stations


Top three things to know about electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) permitting for homeowner associations (HOAs):

electric vehicle charging

  1. The EVCS installer is responsible for applying for building permits, submitting plans and scheduling inspections.
  2. HOAs are considered commercial property, so keep that in mind when reviewing any guidance about permitting.
  3. The fees for EVCS electrical and building permits have been waived for Fairfax County properties through October 31, 2025.

FAQs

The following FAQs provide additional information about EVCS installation on HOA property.

  • An Electrical permit is required for new circuits and outlets (no permit is required if you are plugging a stand-alone charging station into an existing outlet).
  • A Commercial New Building permit is required for commercial charging stations with an overhead canopy or other type of structure.
  • A Sign permit is required for commercial charging stations with advertising signs.

The HOA should hire a qualified EVCS installation contractor to install the EVCS properly. The contractor will coordinate the permit, plan review and inspection process. Learn more about hiring a contractor.

Work closely with your contractor throughout the process to ensure all guidelines are being met. Onsite points of contact will also need to be identified when applying for the permits in the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS).

Fees for EVCS electrical and building permits have been waived through October 31, 2025.

Yes, HOA points of contact should be able to navigate PLUS to check the status of the project and confirm current information is included. Learn more about PLUS.

The EVCS contractor will upload an architectural/structure plan to PLUS. This plan is reviewed by LDS staff.

  • The Zoning Administration Division (ZAD) in the Department of Planning and Development enforces, maintains, and administers the provisions of the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance. 
  • HOAs must complete and submit the Electric Vehicle Charging Space Review Checklist. A licensed and qualified contractor may submit the checklist on behalf of the HOA. 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.

  • Some HOAs may also need to build a retaining wall before installing an EVCS. Retaining walls are exempt from permits if they have less than 36" of unbalanced fill. If your retaining wall will have more than 36” of unbalanced fill, apply for a commercial retaining wall permit in PLUS. The fee exemption would not apply to a retaining wall permit.
  • A site plan may be needed if land disturbance due to trenching exceeds 2,500 square feet. The fee exemption would not apply to any site-related applications. Learn more about land disturbance and site plans.

It depends. Vehicle charging stations, charging cables and similar obstructions are NOT permitted in the public right-of-way (those associated with VDOT or County-maintained roadways). However, crossing sidewalks within privately owned sites and along privately maintained roadways, such as townhouse developments, are at the discretion of the owner or homeowner’s association (HOA). Nonetheless, a design professional, attorney or other expert shall advise to determine the best practice for maintaining the sidewalks in a safe usable manner.

If the owner or HOA does allow cables to cross a private sidewalk, the use of commercially available cord ramps designed to comply with the requirements of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, published by the U.S. Department of Justice, may be an appropriate choice (example pictured below). Level 2 charging cords generally exceed the capacity of a readily-available ramp and require customized designs to meet ADA standards. If a permanent trough with removable grate is used, the sidewalk must remain uninterrupted across the trough, and the trough must provide positive drainage to the curb. Whichever crossing is employed, the length of the charging cord from the station to the automobile’s receptacle should not exceed 15-feet, consistent with National Electric Code requirements.

SidewalkAdditional information about accessible sidewalk and road interactions is available in the Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines, published by the U.S. Access Board.

For any associated permit request that suggests that temporary cords will cross a private sidewalk the applicant must detail this crossing (ramps, etc.) and approval by the affiliated property owner association. Information regarding permits associated with EV Charging Stations can be found at: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) Permits | Land Development Services


 

 


Need Help? Call 703-222-0801, TTY 711.

Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

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