Relates to damages to contracts occasioned by delay

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Leroy Comrie

Streamline and standardize permitting and zoning for EV charging stations, enabling faster, administrative approvals and uniform siting rules.

REFERRED TO PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTS

Overview

S 2254 seeks to accelerate deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure by requiring local governments in Massachusetts to adopt uniform, streamlined permitting and zoning rules for EV charging stations (including installations in the public right-of-way). The bill directs state agencies to produce a model ordinance communities may adopt.

Key provisions

Local adoption deadline: Each municipality must adopt a land‑use ordinance or bylaw within 12 months of enactment that implements the bill’s provisions.

Expedited permitting: Municipal ordinances must create a streamlined permitting process for EV chargers (including public right‑of‑way installations) with a binding review/approval timeline not to exceed 30 days.

Zoning classification: All levels of EV charging stations must be classified as a permitted accessory and permitted primary use in all zoning districts.

Parking rules: A parking space served by an EV charger (or spaces used to site EV equipment) must count as at least one standard automobile parking space for compliance with parking minimums. Any van‑accessible parking space counts as at least two standard automobile parking spaces.

Limited scope of review: Permits for EV chargers (including in public right‑of‑way) must be limited to building official review solely to confirm compliance with health and safety requirements under local, state, and federal law; approval must be administrative (building permit or similar nondiscretionary permit).

State model ordinance: The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), in consultation with stakeholders, must develop and publish a model land‑use ordinance within 6 months of enactment and notify municipalities. DOER/MassDOT may periodically update the model ordinance without a formal rulemaking and must post amendments publicly.

Who is affected

Local governments/municipal planning & building departments (required to adopt ordinances and meet permitting timelines).

EV charging station owners, installers, utilities, developers, and property owners (faster, more predictable permitting and zoning).

Residents and businesses (impacts to parking rules and potential placement of chargers in public ways).

Timeline & procedural notes

DOER and MassDOT must publish the model ordinance within 6 months of enactment.

Local governments must adopt conforming ordinances or bylaws within 12 months of enactment.

The bill text was presented by Senator Brendan P. Crighton. Current status: REFERRED TO PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTS (other recorded referrals include Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy; Commerce, Science, and Transportation). Related filings: SD 1540 (replaces), prior-session bills S 5933, S 7166, S 704.

Potential impacts and considerations

Likely to speed EV charging deployment and reduce local zoning/permit barriers.

Limits local discretionary review, raising issues for municipalities about local planning control, public‑way management, and siting conflicts.

Clarifies parking-count treatment of EV spaces which may affect development planning and compliance with parking minima.

Safety and code compliance remain subject to review by building officials.

This summary highlights the bill’s intent to standardize and expedite permitting and zoning for EV charging to support broader EV adoption.

Bill