# Amendment of Municipal Code Title 17 by modifying various sections requiring by-right permitting for electric vehicle charging stations in certain zoning districts and by adding new Sections 17-9-0134 and 17-17-0104-DD.8 establishing regulations for electric vehicle charging stations

- Record number: **O2026-0026908**
- Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
- Status: In Committee
- Sponsor: [Scott Waguespack](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/32) (32nd Ward)
- Committee: [Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/zoning-landmarks-and-building-standards)
- Submitted Date: Jul 9, 2026
- Introduction Date: Jul 15, 2026
- Official record: [Office of the City Clerk](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=4DAA16F9-BA7B-F111-AB0D-001DD806636B)

## Impact report

> Written by AI from [the official document](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/7133dca7-f948-40e1-a9ab-5e564d20b8e4.pdf). AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

This ordinance would add public electric vehicle charging stations as a new type of land use in Chicago's zoning code, with rules on landscaping, lighting, and driveways.

**Who it affects**

- **Businesses that want to open public EV charging stations**: They would need to follow landscaping, lighting, and driveway rules and get Chicago Department of Transportation approval before getting a building permit.
- **Residents living next to charging stations**: Station lighting would have to point downward and be shielded so it does not light up nearby homes.
- **Electric vehicle drivers**: Charging stations open to the general public would be recognized as their own type of business in the zoning code.
- **Chicago Department of Transportation**: The department would review and approve plans for charging station driveways and may ask applicants for traffic counts and related data.
- **Drivers and people using nearby streets**: Charging station driveways would have to be designed so they do not hurt traffic safety or flow on nearby streets.

**What changes**

- Public EV charging stations would be defined as a 'Vehicle Sales and Service' use in the zoning code.
- Charging stations would have to meet city landscaping rules, including rules for vehicle use areas.
- Lighting at charging stations would have to point down and be shielded from nearby homes.
- A building permit could not be issued until the Chicago Department of Transportation approves driveway plans as safe and efficient.
- Zoning use tables in several parts of the code would be updated to include charging stations.

**Where**: 32nd Ward

**When**: Upon passage and approval

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/4DAA16F9-BA7B-F111-AB0D-001DD806636B · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt