Electric Vehicle Charging

Larimer County Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging 

As of December 8, 2025, Larimer County has updated its permitting process for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations to align with State mandates and support Colorado’s electric vehicle infrastructure goals. This guide will help you understand the new standards and determine which permits are required for your project.

Background: Why We Made Changes

Larimer County updated the Land Use Code to comply with the Electric Vehicle Charging System Permits Law (House Bill 24-1173), which went into effect on August 7, 2024.

The Goal: The State of Colorado’s 2023 Electric Vehicle Plan estimates that the state needs approximately 7,500 additional EV charging ports by 2025. While Larimer County already has standards for residential (Level 1 and 2) chargers, the new state law requires counties with populations over 20,000 to adopt specific standards for Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) stations.

What This Means for You: These changes are designed to make the process:

  • Streamlined: Faster application reviews for public charging projects.
  • Transparent: Clearer rules on what is allowed in each zoning district.
  • Consistent: Aligned with a State Model EV Code to ensure predictability for applicants.

Larimer County Planning staff worked with the Building Division and the Office of Sustainability and Climate to adapt these state requirements to our local needs.

  Expand All   Collapse All
Project TypeLand Use ProcessBuilding PermitElectrical Permit
“Level 1 Charging”: Slow charging that provides about 1-2 kW of power per hour and uses a 120V outlet.NoNoMaybe
“Level 2 Charging”: Mid-speed charging that provides about 7-19 kW of power per hour and uses a 240V outlet.NoMaybeMaybe
“Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC)”: High-speed charging that provides about 50-350+ kW of power per hour and uses a 480V three-phase outlet.YesYesYes

 You may contact the Larimer County Building Division at (970) 498-7700 or building@larimer.org for further information.

 

 Common Level 2 Charging Types and Required Permits

LocationElectrical ImprovementsPermits Required
Single unit residence with 240v outlet at charging locationNo new electrical wiring or equipment is neededNone
Single unit residence without 240v outlet at charging locationNew electrical wiring and outlet are necessary.Electrical
Multi-unit residence or commercial building parking New electrical wiring, electrical outlets, and dedicated charging stations may be necessary. Building (if within a parking structure, but not for surface parking lots) and Electrical
Commercial or government vehicle fleet depotsNew electrical wiring, electrical outlets, and dedicated charging stations are necessary. May involve trenching and/or boring.Building and Electrical
Publicly accessible charging stations located in commercial or government parking lots New electrical wiring, electrical outlets, and dedicated charging stations are necessary. May involve trenching and/or boring.Building and Electrical

The installation of new Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) charging requires a land use process, and both building and electrical permits. 

Are there different land use processes for different types of DCFC charging?

Yes, the Larimer County Land Use Code regulates DCFC charging differently depending on the project type and the zone district where it is proposed. Administrative review means that Planning Department staff review a Site Plan or Administrative Special Review application and decide to approve or deny it based on the standards in the land use code. Conditional review means that Planning Department staff review a Special Review application and make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners, who decide to approve or deny the application. 

Project Type

Administrative Review

Conditional Review

Accessory Use EV Charging Project:

DCFC Charging Stations and Equipment that are incidental and subordinate to the Primary Use on the Subject Property.

Permitted as an Accessory Use in all zoning districts except for EV RE-1, EV RE, EV E-1, EV E, and EV R. Permitted as an Accessory Use in all zoning districts except for EV RE-1, EV RE, EV E-1, EV E, and EV R.N/A

Primary Use EV Charging Project: 

DCFC EV Charging Stations and Equipment that serves as the primary function and land use on the Subject Property.

Site Plan

ACE, RC, CF, UR-3, MR, MU-C, CC, CN, CD, IL, IH.

Admin Special Review:

EV A, EV CO, EV O, EV I-1, EV RM.

Special Review: 

NR, FO, A, IR, UR-2, MHP, MHP-P, MU-N, and AP                               

EV Charging Project Application and Review Process

StepPlanning DivisionApplicantsEstimated Duration
Pre-application MeetingProvide information to potential applicants at pre-application meeting.Request and attend pre-application meeting with the Planning Division. 4-6 weeks 
Permit Application Submittal Submit application to the Planning Division.Within 6-12 months
Completeness ReviewDetermine if applications include all required elements.If necessary, revise application to include missing elements and resubmit.7 days
Referral ProcessSend application for review by internal and external referral agencies. 60 days
Staff Comment Letter/ RecommendationBased on review of applicable standards and referral agency comments, staff moves the application to a final decision, or requests that applicants revise and resubmit. If a resubmittal is required, the referral process and staff comment letter/recommendation steps will repeat.If required, applicant will resubmit.7 days
Decision (for administrative review)The Community Development Director or their designee approves or denies the application.  7-10 days
Decision (for conditional review)The Board of County Commissioners approves or denies the application.Applicant presents to Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners.60 days (approx.), based on available hearing dates.

A specific list of submittal requirements will be provided at the pre-application meeting. All application packets can be found on our website under the 'Application Packets' tab. 

The Planning Division will consider if your proposed project conforms with the standards of the Larimer County Land Use Code. The specific parts of the Larimer County Land Use Code that apply to EV Charging Projects include, but are not limited to:

Accessory Use EV Charging Project Standards

Larimer County Land Use Code Section ReferenceType of StandardSummary of Standard
Article 1, Section 1.10.4.B.3Non-Conforming Buildings or StructuresThe addition of an accessory EV Charging Project to a property containing a nonconforming building or structure does not constitute the expansion of the nonconforming building or use.
Article 1, Section 1.10.6.D.1Non-Conforming Site FeaturesAn application for the development of an Accessory Use EV Charging Project is excepted from the requirements of §1.10.6.D.
Article 2, Section 2.9.4SetbacksAccessory Use EV Charging is subject to applicable property line and road setbacks unless otherwise specified in the Land Use Code.
Article 3, Section 3.2Tables of Allowed UsesSee Tables of Allowed Uses for the specific process required for Accessory EV Charging in most of unincorporated Larimer County, except for the Estes Valley Planning Area.
Article 3, Section 3.4Accessory Uses and StructuresGeneral Standards for All Accessory Uses and Structures.
Article 3, Section 3.4.7.DAccessory Use EV Charging StandardsUse-Specific Standards for accessory use EV charging.
Article 4, All SectionsDevelopment StandardsAccessory Use EV Charging are subject to most standards as found in Article 4 (Development Standards) unless otherwise specified in the Land Use Code.
Article 4, Section 4.6.5Minimum Amount of Accessible Parking Spaces RequiredParking spaces served by EV charging count toward required parking minimums, with standard EV spaces counting as one space and certain van-accessible, wheelchair-accommodating EV spaces counting as two spaces when not otherwise designated. Any accessible EV-served parking must comply with ADA requirements, with the number of required accessible EV spaces determined by the total EV-served parking count.
Article 13, Sections 13.4 and 13.5Permitted Uses and Standards in the Estes ValleySee Tables of Permitted Uses for the specific process required for Accessory EV Charging in the Estes Valley Planning Area.

Primary Use EV Charging Project Standards

Larimer County Land Use Code Section ReferenceStandard TopicStandard Summary
Article 2, Section 2.9.4SetbacksPrincipal Use EV Charging Projects are subject to applicable property line and road setbacks unless otherwise specified in the Land Use Code.
Article 3, Section 3.2Tables of Allowed UsesSee Tables of Allowed Uses for the specific process required for Accessory EV Charging in most of unincorporated Larimer County, except for the Estes Valley Planning Area.
Article 3, Section 3.3.5.NPrincipal Use EV Charging StandardsSpecific use standards for Principal Use EV Charging Projects.
Article 4Development StandardsPrincipal Use EV Charging Projects are subject to most standards as found in Article 4 (Development Standards) unless otherwise specified in the Land Use Code. 
Article 4, Section 4.6.5Minimum Amount of Accessible Parking Spaces RequiredParking spaces served by EV charging count toward required parking minimums, with standard EV spaces counting as one space and certain van-accessible, wheelchair-accommodating EV spaces counting as two spaces when not otherwise designated. Any accessible EV-served parking must comply with ADA requirements, with the number of required accessible EV spaces determined by the total EV-served parking count.
Article 13, Sections 13.4 and 13.5Permitted Uses and Standards in the Estes ValleySee Tables of Permitted Uses for the specific process required for Principal EV Charging Projects in the Estes Valley Planning Area. 

Planning application fees can be found on the Development Review Fee Schedule.

Planning Process Information

Please contact the Planning Division at 970-498-7679 or planning@larimer.org, or visit us in person on the 3rd Floor of 200 W Oak Street, Fort Collins between 8am-4pm on Monday-Friday. 

Building/Electrical Permit Information

Please contact the Building Division at 970-498-7700 or building@larimer.org, or visit us in person on the 3rd Floor of 200 W Oak Street, Fort Collins between 8am-4pm on Monday-Friday.