Rockville Creates Path for Curbside Electric Vehicle Charging
August 31, 2026
Rockville is home to the first U.S. installation of a residential electric-vehicle charging cable channel in a public right of way. With it comes a new option for residents who rely on curbside parking.
This specially designed channel allows a charging cord to run from a charger on private property through a narrow, covered opening cut across the sidewalk. The charger is set away from the roadway on private property. The cover sits flush with the sidewalk, so pedestrians and those using mobility devices can pass easily.
The new standards follow the Mayor and Council’s adoption of Rockville’s Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan in March 2025, and are part of many other efforts to increase equitable access to EV charging. These options apply to residents of single-family homes, townhomes and duplexes along city streets who do not have access to a garage, driveway or parking pad.
The new guidance brings the requirements together in one document and replaces the former case-by-case approval process.
The process is detailed and approval is not automatic. Each proposed location must meet safety, accessibility, parking and infrastructure requirements. Homeowners are responsible for installing, operating and maintaining the equipment.
The standards also allow a second option: a curbside pedestal charger placed in the public right of way, with an underground conduit connecting it to the home’s electrical service.
For more information, visit bit.ly/RKVpermits, then click on “Residential Curbside EV Charging Equipment in City Rights-of-Way Standards and Procedures.”