Rosemont has enacted a permanent ban on the installation of new electric vehicle charging stations within parking garages and basements. The municipality, located in Illinois, converted its previous temporary moratorium into an indefinite ordinance approved by the village board.
Origins of the Parking Garage Restriction
The permanent policy stems from safety concerns following a vehicle fire on the first floor of the Fashion Outlets of Chicago parking garage on January 18, 2024. Following the incident, the village initially instituted a one-year ban in March 2025 amid inquiries from building owners regarding indoor charger installations.
According to village officials, the ordinance applies specifically to indoor and enclosed parking structures as well as basements. Existing charging stations installed prior to the ruling are not required to be removed, and outdoor charging installations in surface lots remain unaffected by the new regulations.
Regional Regulatory Approaches
Following Rosemont’s initial moratorium, other nearby municipalities in the Northwest suburbs have adopted varying restrictions regarding electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Arlington Heights implemented prohibitions on charger installations in underground structures and structures with residential spaces above them. Des Plaines restricted chargers to surface lots and primary access levels, Elk Grove Village banned them in structures underneath buildings, and Schaumburg prohibited level three DC fast chargers inside parking structures.
Practical Takeaway
For electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle owners and operators, municipal regulations governing charging infrastructure continue to evolve, with specific local restrictions targeting indoor and subterranean parking structures. Drivers should verify local building codes and parking facility rules regarding charger accessibility in specific regional markets.
Source: Original report