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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1540 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2254
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Brendan P. Crighton
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to permitting of electric vehicle charging stations.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Brendan P. CrightonThird Essex 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1540 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2254
By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2254) of Brendan P. Crighton for
legislation relative to permit of electric vehicle charging stations. Telecommunications, Utilities
and Energy.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to permitting of electric vehicle charging stations.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. By no later than twelve months following enactment of this legislation,
2each local unit of government shall adopt a land use ordinance or bylaws that:
3 (1) create an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging
4stations, including electric vehicle charging stations installed in the public right-of-way, with
5binding timeline for the review and approval of permit applications not to exceed thirty days;
6 (2) classify all levels of electric vehicle charging stations as permitted accessory and
7primary use in all zoning districts;
8 (3) address electric vehicle charging in parking minimum requirements, specifically that
9a parking space served by an electric vehicle charging station or any parking spaces used to site
10electric vehicle charging equipment must be counted as at least one standard automobile parking
11space and that any van-accessible parking space shall count as at least two standard automobile 2 of 2
12parking spaces for the purpose of complying with any applicable minimum parking
13requirements;
14 (4) specify that review of applications to install electric vehicle charging stations,
15including electric vehicle charging stations installed in the public right-of-way, shall be limited
16to the building official’s review of whether the installation meets all health and safety
17requirements under local, state, and federal law and shall be administratively approved through
18the issuance of a building permit or similar nondiscretionary permit.
19 SECTION 2. The department of energy resources and Massachusetts department of
20transportation, in consultation with the appropriate and affected parties, by no later than six
21months following enactment of this legislation, shall develop and publish a model land use
22ordinance that local governments may elect to adopt. Upon completion, the department of energy
23resources and Massachusetts department of transportation must post the model ordinance to the
24department’s internet website and notify local units of government of its availability.
25 The department of energy resources and Massachusetts department of transportation may
26periodically publish amendments to the model ordinance to reflect increased electric vehicle
27adoption and technological advances in the state. Any update shall not require a rulemaking
28process. Upon completion of any amendment, the department of energy resources and
29Massachusetts department of transportation must post the updated model ordinance to the
30department’s internet website and notify local units of government of the amendments.