(a) For the purposes of this section:
(1) "Electric vehicle" means a battery-powered electric vehicle operated solely by electricity or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that operates on electricity and gasoline and has a battery that can be recharged from an external source.
(2) "Electric vehicle charging station" means a public or private parking space that is served by equipment that is used to charge a battery or other energy storage device of an electric vehicle. This included any such space on any private or public off-street parking facility.
(b) It shall be prohibited at any time to park a non-electric vehicle in an electric vehicle charging station designated for use by electric vehicles.
(c) It is a violation of this section for any vehicle to be parked in an electric vehicle charging station space if the vehicle is not in the process of charging.
(d) Any vehicle that is parked in violation of this section may be towed or otherwise removed from the parking location by the Police Division or their designated agent.
(e) Each electric vehicle charging station shall be identified through the posting of an elevated sign, either permanently fixed or movable, that indicates that the space is reserved for charging electric vehicles only. The distance from the ground to the top edge of the sign shall measure five feet. There also shall be affixed upon the surface of such sign or affixed next to the sign a notice that states the minimum fine applicable for the offense of parking a motor vehicle in such space if the motor vehicle is not legally entitled to be parked in that location. Each sign shall comply with the requirements of the current "Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices" issued by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
(f) It shall not be a defense to a charge under this section that the sign or notice posted at the electric vehicle charging station or the designated parking space does not comply with all applicable rules, regulations, or ordinances, if a reasonable person would be made aware by the sign or notice on or near the parking space that the space is reserved for the charging of electric vehicles.
(g) Penalty. If a person commits a parking infraction in violation of this section, the fine shall be not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00), nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), but in no case shall an offender be sentenced to any term of imprisonment.
(Ord. 2020-039. Passed 8-10-20.)