Dear Mayor and Members of the Menlo Park City Council,
I am writing to request that the City of Menlo Park consider adopting an ordinance or resolution to address vehicles blocking access to designated electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
Recently, at the Belle Haven campus in Menlo Park, multiple non-EV vehicles were parked in front of the newly installed DC fast-charging stations, blocking access to two of the three chargers. As a result, EV drivers attempting to charge were forced to stop in travel lanes to reach the remaining charger, creating congestion and blocking bus traffic. A police officer who responded indicated that, while California law allows EV-only charging spaces, there is currently no local ordinance in Menlo Park that authorizes enforcement or ticketing for vehicles blocking public EV charging stations.
California Vehicle Code §22511 authorizes local jurisdictions to designate EV-only charging spaces and to enforce violations, including fines and towing, provided the city adopts the appropriate ordinance or resolution and posts proper signage. Without such local action, these charging stations cannot be effectively protected or enforced, even though they represent critical transportation infrastructure.
As Menlo Park continues to invest in EV infrastructure and support state climate and transportation goals, ensuring that public charging stations remain accessible is essential. An ordinance addressing this issue would improve safety, reduce traffic conflicts, and protect the city’s investment in EV charging infrastructure.
I respectfully ask the City Council to consider directing staff to evaluate and adopt an ordinance or resolution enabling enforcement against vehicles blocking designated EV charging stations, consistent with state law.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be happy to provide additional information or share photos from the incident if helpful.
[cid:37318d6a-d551-4c68-b80c-0c61621a514e]
Webster Lincoln
Mayor
Phone (650) 853-3100
Email wlincoln@cityofepa.org
Web www.cityofepa.org
2415 University Ave, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
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