Electric Vehicle Charging Location for Single-Family Homes
Commission Approves Locating Charging Location Outside of Garage On the Side of the House

The City Commission has amended the City Code of Ordinances to permit the installation of an electric vehicle charging station in a single-family home, outside the residential garage on the side of the house near the garage.  The Code had only permitted installation inside the garage. Chargers are still limited to Level 1 or Level 2 only. Regardless of the location selected, (inside or outside the garage), a permit is required for installation.

To apply for a permit to install an EV charger, please contact the Building Department at 954-385-2600.

NOTE:  The Fire Rescue Department is a proponent of the the exterior location due to several emergency response considerations:  

Thermal Runaway Risk: Lithium-ion batteries in EVs can experience “thermal runaway” if damaged or defective. If charging inside a garage, a battery fire could quickly spread to the house. Outside placement limits the risk of fire spreading to living areas.

Easier Fire Suppression: If a fire starts while the car is plugged in, firefighters have better access outdoors and less concern about toxic smoke spreading through the home.

Burning EV batteries release highly toxic gases such as hydrogen fluoride and carbon monoxide.  Charging outside reduces the likelihood of those deadly gases from entering the home.

Inside a garage, these fumes can infiltrate the house, creating a severe health hazard. Outdoors, gases disperse more quickly.