EV Charging Requirements for New Buildings in St. Catharines

Land Use and Zoning Ontario 3 Minutes Read · published May 26, 2026 Flag of Ontario

St. Catharines, Ontario property owners and developers must follow municipal permitting and provincial building rules when planning electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in new buildings. This guide summarizes the typical municipal pathway: zoning and site-plan review, building and electrical permits, coordination with the City of St. Catharines Planning and Building departments, and reference to the Ontario Building Code and technical standards for electrical installations.[1][2]

Requirements for EV charging in new buildings

Planning for EV charging is usually addressed at the design and permit stage. Key steps developers should expect include:

  • Confirm zoning and parking requirements with Planning and Zoning during pre-application.
  • Incorporate electrical capacity and conduit routing into the building permit drawings and electrical permit application.
  • Engage a licensed electrical contractor to specify equipment and load calculations per the Ontario Building Code and the Electrical Safety Authority.
  • Provide details on the number of EV-ready stalls, charger types, and metering arrangements as part of the submission where required.
Start EV infrastructure planning at the schematic design stage to avoid costly retrofits.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City enforces municipal bylaws and building regulations through its By-law Enforcement and Building departments. Specific monetary penalties, escalation rules, and some non-monetary remedies depend on the controlling bylaw or the Ontario Building Code; where an amount or schedule is not posted on the cited municipal page this is noted below.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited municipal enforcement page.
  • Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited municipal enforcement page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to comply, stop-work orders, permit suspensions or court proceedings may be used by enforcement authorities; exact remedies depend on the controlling instrument and are not fully itemized on the cited page.
  • Enforcer and inspection pathway: By-law Enforcement and the Building Division handle complaints and inspections; see official contact and complaint pages for submission details.[3]
  • Appeal/review: appeals of building decisions typically follow provincial Building Code and municipal appeal routes; time limits and routes are governed by the relevant statute or bylaw and are not comprehensively listed on the cited pages.
If enforcement action is threatened, request written reasons and appeal information promptly.

Applications & Forms

Building and electrical permits are the primary applications for installing EV charging in new buildings. The City directs applicants to its Building Permit pages for application steps and required documentation; specific form names and fees are provided or linked there.[1]

  • Application type: Building permit and electrical permit (see municipal building permits page for submission method).
  • Fees: refer to the fee schedule on the Building Permit page; if a specific EV surcharge or fee exists it is not specified on the cited page.
  • Deadlines: align permit submissions with site-plan or site-alteration approvals to avoid processing delays.
Check the City building permit checklist for electrical submission requirements early in the design process.

Action steps for applicants

  • Contact Planning and Building for a pre-consultation to confirm zoning and permit expectations.
  • Prepare building permit drawings showing EV conduit, panel capacity and proposed stall layout.
  • Submit electrical permit application with a licensed electrician and schedule inspections as required.
  • Retain records of permits, inspection reports and approvals in case of future enforcement or resale questions.

FAQ

Does St. Catharines require EV-ready parking in new residential buildings?
The City refers applicants to Building and Planning requirements and to the Ontario Building Code; a specific mandatory municipal percentage for EV-ready stalls is not specified on the cited municipal pages.[1][2]
Do I need a separate electrical permit for EV chargers?
Yes, installation of EV charging equipment typically requires an electrical permit and inspection under provincial electrical rules; follow the City building permit process and the Ontario technical standards.[1][2]
Who do I contact to report an unpermitted charger installation?
Report concerns to By-law Enforcement or the Building Division using the City contact pages; enforcement options are handled by those departments.[3]

How-To

  1. Request a pre-application meeting with City Planning and Building to review zoning and site-plan implications.
  2. Engage a licensed electrical designer to prepare permit-ready drawings showing conduit, panel load and charger locations.
  3. Submit building and electrical permits to the City with the required forms and fees shown on the municipal permit pages.[1]
  4. Arrange inspections after installation and obtain final sign-off before placing chargers in service.

Key Takeaways

  • Early coordination with Planning and Building reduces redesign and delay risks.
  • Electrical permits and licensed contractors are required for charger installations.
  • Enforcement contacts and complaint routes are available through By-law Enforcement and the Building Division.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of St. Catharines - Building Permits
  2. [2] Government of Ontario - Building Code
  3. [3] City of St. Catharines - By-law Enforcement

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