Adding EV chargers to your parking lot? Here is what the stall markings, signage, and ADA requirements actually look like.
CONTEXT
A few years ago, maybe one commercial property in a hundred had EV chargers. Now you see them at medical offices, office parks, retail centers, apartment complexes, and church facilities across Plano, Frisco, and Allen. The pace picked up sharply after federal and state incentive programs started offsetting the install cost.
Most of those installations include the hardware. The pavement markings are an afterthought — or they get skipped entirely. Properties end up with chargers that have no dedicated stall markings, or stalls that were marked wrong from the start.
That creates two problems. First, other drivers park in the EV stalls because there is nothing clearly reserving them. Second, if any of those stalls are supposed to be ADA-accessible, unmarked or incorrectly marked spaces are a compliance issue.
If you are adding chargers or already have them, getting the markings right is a straightforward job. Here is what it actually involves.
WHAT GETS PAINTED
EV stall markings are not complicated, but there are a few distinct elements. Here is what each one is and why it is there.
The standard EV marking is a plug or lightning bolt symbol stenciled on the stall surface. This is what tells drivers the space is reserved for electric vehicles. It is painted in white or yellow, matching the stall lines.
"EV CHARGING ONLY" or "ELECTRIC VEHICLE ONLY" stenciled on the stall surface. Some properties use both the symbol and the text; others use just one. The text is more readable from a distance and leaves no ambiguity about what the space is for.
Blue curb paint is the most common choice for EV stalls, though there is no universal requirement that says it must be blue. Some properties use green. Some use no curb color at all and rely on the stall stencil and posted signage. This is one area where your charger vendor may have a specific preference.
EV stalls still need the same 4-inch stall lines as any other space. Wider stalls (9–11 feet) are often recommended for EV spaces to accommodate the charging cable running to the vehicle without creating a trip hazard. If the stall is also ADA-accessible, the standard accessible stall dimensions apply.
ADA REQUIREMENTS
If your property has EV chargers, at least some of those spaces may need to be ADA-accessible. The rule is not specific to EV chargers — it follows the same logic as the rest of your lot. If you have a certain number of total spaces, a certain number must be accessible.
When a space is both EV-capable and ADA-accessible, it needs both sets of markings. The International Symbol of Accessibility (wheelchair symbol) goes on the stall surface. Van-accessible spaces need the "VAN ACCESSIBLE" text. The EV stencil or text goes on the stall too. The stall dimensions still need to meet ADA standards: 8 feet wide with a 5-foot access aisle minimum, or 11 feet wide for van-accessible spaces.
The ADA access aisle also needs to be kept clear of the charging equipment. This is something to think about during the charger installation, not after. If the charger pedestal is positioned in a way that blocks the access aisle, the space is out of compliance regardless of how the pavement is marked.
One practical point: ADA-accessible EV spaces are typically positioned close to the building entrance, which is also where EV charger installation is most convenient. That alignment works in your favor from a compliance standpoint.
ADA + EV space markings checklist
STANDARDS
There is no MUTCD standard for EV stall markings at private commercial lots. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices covers public roads; private parking lots are a different category entirely.
Most properties follow one of a few sources: guidance from the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), SAE International technical standards, or the specifications that come from their charger vendor. ChargePoint, Blink, and other hardware providers typically include marking recommendations in their installation documentation.
Some Texas cities have started adding EV parking requirements to their local codes, but this is not consistent across the region. Plano, Frisco, and McKinney have each approached this differently. If your project is going through permitting, check with the city directly. If you are retrofitting an existing lot without a permit trigger, you have more flexibility.
The practical approach: use the EV plug symbol stencil, include "EV CHARGING ONLY" text, use blue curb paint unless your vendor specifies otherwise, and make sure any accessible spaces meet ADA dimensions. That covers the bases for most commercial properties in North Texas without overcomplicating it.
ITE GUIDELINES
Institute of Transportation Engineers guidance on EV stall design and markings
SAE STANDARDS
SAE International technical specs, often referenced for Level 2 and DC fast charging setups
CHARGER VENDOR SPECS
Most major EV charger vendors include marking requirements in their installation docs
WHAT WE DO
We stripe EV stalls for commercial properties across Plano, McKinney, Allen, Frisco, Richardson, Garland, and Dallas. That includes new installations where we are putting down fresh stall lines and stencils, and retrofit work where we are adding EV markings to existing stalls.
If your lot already has the charger hardware installed but no pavement markings, that is the most common situation we see. We can come out, assess the stalls, and give you a flat quote. Most EV stall marking jobs are done in the same visit as any other striping work — there is no reason to run separate trips.
If you are not sure whether your current EV spaces are correctly marked or ADA-compliant, give us a call. We can come take a look.
Call us to schedule a free site visit. We will give you a flat quote for EV stall markings, ADA compliance, or a full restripe.