EV Charging Stations Code Update

Project Summary

On March 17th, 2026 Broomfield City Council held a study session to provide direction on potential updates to the Broomfield Municipal Code regulations for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations. The ordinance is tentatively scheduled for 1st reading to City Council on May 26th, 2026.

The proposed EV charging station code changes will address direction from Broomfield City Council (see the March 17, 2026 Study Session), recent Colorado legislation, and to make technical edits to the existing code to clarify the use of terms such as “Electric Vehicles” and “EV Charging Stations.”

In 2024, Colorado State legislature passed legislation regarding municipal regulation of Electric Motor Vehicle Charging Systems, HB24-1173, which requires certain local governments, including Broomfield, to facilitate the permitting of electric vehicle (EV) charging systems by streamlining the process for local governments to approve permits for developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The BMC does not explicitly list EV charging stations as primary permitted use. Instead, the BMC allows EV charging as a primary use to be considered similar to a gas station for zoning purposes. Staff recommends separating EV charging and gas stations into two distinct use types. Broomfield City Council will review and vote on the proposed changes at public hearings, listed in the Key Dates at the top of this page.

Overview of EV Charging Stations

A primary use means the main or principal purpose for which land and/or the structures thereon are used. Electric vehicle charging as a primary use involves providing electricity to customers for a fee through multiple charging station ports grouped together on a single lot. The charging stations are typically mounted to a wall or are installed as freestanding pedestals, and electricity is transmitted through a cord with a handle that connects the port to the electric vehicle. Payment for the service is typically made by customers either online or at the charging stations.

EV charging stations can be offered at three different levels that are determined by the amount of power they supply and the rate at which they can charge a vehicle. Level 2 and 3 chargers are most commonly found in commercial settings. Level 2 chargers can charge a vehicle battery to 80% in a few hours, and Level 3 chargers can provide the same level of charge in approximately 30 minutes.

At this time, EV charging stations have been predominantly installed as accessory uses meaning they are “subordinate or incidental to, and on the same lot or on contiguous lot in the same ownership, as the building or use being identified or advertised.” These charging stations have typically been Level 2 chargers. Charging stations as accessory uses typically make up a small portion of existing parking lots. This service is generally secondary in nature to the primary use, and the installation of EV chargers is typically included as part of the infrastructure designed for the primary use. New development in Broomfield must adhere to the adopted codes, including the Colorado Model Electric Ready code requiring installation of EV parking infrastructure to serve the new development.

New Colorado Legislation: HB24-1173 EV Charging Stations

Colorado State legislature passed legislation regarding municipal regulation of Electric Motor Vehicle Charging Systems, HB24-1173, which requires certain local governments, including Broomfield, to facilitate the permitting of electric vehicle (EV) charging systems by streamlining the process for local governments to approve permits for developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure. It further limits local jurisdictions from requiring a separate land use permit for Level 1 or Level 2 charging facilities since these types of chargers do not typically generate additional traffic since they are utilized while doing other usual activities (parking at home or office for example).

The proposed EV charging station code changes will address the following elements:

• EV charging stations proposed as a primary use on a specified properties within Broomfield; and

• Place and location regulations for EV charging stations.

The community can provide input on the proposed EV code changes.

Proposed Broomfield Municipal Code Changes:

The draft code update aims to comply with the major elements of HB24-1173. The drafted ordinance does not include EV charging stations as primary permitted uses within residential (including the TOAD), agricultural, or TOD zone districts. The BMC currently requires accessory EV installed-, EV ready-, and EV capable- parking spaces for new developments as part of the Electric and Solar Ready Code. EV chargers are typically permitted as an accessory use in all districts.

The proposed changes to the BMC supported by Broomfield City Council are outlined below:

• EV Charging Station as Primary Permitted Use. The drafted ordinance proposes to allow EV Charging Stations as a primary use in most commercial, industrial and mixed use zoning districts. They would be excluded from residential, agricultural, TOAD, and TOD-zoned properties.

• EV Charging Station as an Accessory Use. The drafted ordinance would not change the current allowance for EV charging infrastructure to be accessory to a primary use of a property in all zone districts.

• Definitions. New definitions proposed in this ordinance include Electric Vehicle (EV), EV Charging Station, and EV Charging Supply Equipment. These new definitions will effectively separate and differentiate the EV Charging Station use from a Gas Station use.

• EV Charging Station Equipment Requirements. The essential equipment associated with the operation of the charging station is proposed to have a minimum required 5-foot setback from adjacent property lines, and to be outside of sight clearance areas, as established by Broomfield Standards and Specifications. These potential amendments, if approved by Broomfield, would vary from the required code language in HB24-1173. The purpose of the proposed variation from HB24-1173 is intended to promote safety by requiring a minimum setback from public right-of-way or other property lines, and limiting the placement of equipment at an intersection that could obstruct the visibility of motorists and others in the vicinity of the intersection.
  
  

Ordinance Process and Documents

At the March 17th, 2026 City Council Study Session, Broomfield City Council expressed their support to move forward with modifications to Broomfield’s code.

The first reading of the proposed code changes is tentatively scheduled for the City Council meeting on May 26th, 2026.

The draft ordinance is available in the "Documents" section of this page.

Public Engagement Summary

Community feedback has been taken into consideration for elements of the proposed code update which the City and County of Broomfield has the authority to modify. Public feedback will not impact code requirements related to state requirements.

Comments emailed to planning@broomfield.org were accepted until the day of the second reading listed in the Key Dates at the top of this page.