City Council:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MOUNT
VERNON, NEW YORK, ESTABLISHING THE
ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING
INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY TO PROMOTE
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION, IN
COMPLIANCE WITH STATEWIDE CLIMATE
MANDATES, AND PROVIDING FOR
ENFORCEMENT AND EFFECTIVE DATE
Whereas, in a letter dated May 22, 2025, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works formally requested authorization for the City of Mount Vernon Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Policy; and
Whereas, the State of New York has mandated that all new passenger vehicle sales be zero-emission by 2035, as part of its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing climate justice; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon is committed to achieving its own sustainability goals and recognizes the critical role of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in facilitating the transition to clean transportation; and
Whereas, statewide and regional projections indicate a dramatic increase in electric vehicle ownership within the City of Mount Vernon, requiring proactive measures to support this transition; and
Whereas, retrofitting EV infrastructure after initial construction can cost up to 75% more than installing it during the design and build phases, imposing undue financial burdens on future residents, businesses, and developers; and
Whereas, integrating EV charging infrastructure into local building and zoning standards will position Mount Vernon at the forefront of clean transportation readiness and align with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) projections and funding priorities; and
Whereas, this policy will promote environmental equity by ensuring that low- and moderate-income households in multi-unit housing developments are not left behind in the transition to zero-emission vehicles; and
Whereas, the neighboring municipalities of New Rochelle, Yonkers, and White Plains have already adopted EV infrastructure policies, highlighting the urgency for Mount Vernon to codify its standards to remain competitive and consistent with regional best practices; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that adopting the EV Charging Infrastructure Policy is in the best interest of the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of Mount Vernon; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That
The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact:
Section 1. Title and Purpose. This Ordinance shall be known as the “City of Mount Vernon Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Policy.” The purpose of this Ordinance is to:
A. Support the City’s sustainability goals and statewide decarbonization mandates;
B. Ensure that new construction and major renovations include EV charging infrastructure to reduce future retrofitting costs;
C. Promote equitable access to clean transportation infrastructure across all housing types and socioeconomic groups; and
D. Provide a clear, consistent standard for developers, avoiding delays and ambiguity in the site plan review and approval process.
Section 2. Definitions. For the purposes of this Ordinance, the following definitions shall apply:
A. Electric Vehicle (EV) - A motor vehicle that is powered in whole or in part by an electric motor and draws electricity from a battery or other energy storage device.
B. Level 2 EV Charging Station - An electric vehicle charging station that uses 208- 240V power and provides faster charging than Level 1 charging stations.
C. EV-Ready Space - A parking space that has the electrical panel capacity, raceway/conduit, and wiring in place to support future installation of an EV charging station.
D. Major Renovation - Construction work that includes significant alteration, expansion, or reconstruction of an existing building, as determined by the Building Department.
Section 3. Applicability. This Ordinance applies to:
A. All new construction and major renovations of residential and commercial buildings that include on-site parking.
B. Single-family and small multi-family homes with dedicated driveways or garages.
Section 4. EV Charging Requirements
A. Minimum Charging Infrastructure
1. All applicable new construction and major renovations shall provide at least one (1) Level 2 EV charging station per ten (10) parking spaces.
2. Single-family and small multi-family homes with dedicated driveways or garages shall provide at least one (1) EV-ready space per dwelling unit.
B. EV-Ready Infrastructure
1. For all remaining parking spaces not equipped with active chargers, developers shall install EV-ready conduit and ensure panel capacity to accommodate future Level 2 charging.
2. Conduit and panel capacity shall be sized to support at least one (1) Level 2 charging station for every parking space.
C. Accessibility Requirements
1. EV charging spaces shall include ADA-compliant accessible EV charging spaces in all qualifying developments.
2. Accessible EV spaces shall include proper signage and accessible layout as required by the Building Code and applicable accessibility standards.
D. Site Plan Integration
1. EV infrastructure shall be incorporated into the site plan review and permitting process.
2. Compliance shall be verified through inspection and certification before issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
Section 5. Waivers and Exceptions
A. Limited waivers may be granted by the Building Department only in cases of documented technical infeasibility.
B. All waiver requests shall be accompanied by documentation and reviewed on a case-by-case basis to encourage maximum compliance wherever practicable.
Section 6. Enforcement
A. The Department of Buildings is designated as the enforcement agency for this Ordinance, with support from the Planning Department and Fire Marshal as needed.
B. Penalties for non-compliance include:
1. Issuance of stop work orders;
2. Civil fines as provided in the Mount Vernon Municipal Code;
3. Remedial measures at the City’s discretion to achieve compliance.
Section 7. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
Section 8. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force immediately upon adoption by the City Council.