This page provides information and guidance regarding Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points. It includes guidance on:
When planning permission is required; and
Other considerations such as licences and building regulations.
Do I need planning permission?
Off-street parking such as a driveway or garage
In most cases, you do not need planning permission to install a home EV charger. This is only if you meet certain conditions however.
Legislation makes it easier for homeowners and businesses to install charging points. This is under Permitted Development Rights.
To find out about this, please visit our web page:
The Planning Portal have published some guidance on EV charging points:
Planning Portal - advice on electric vehicle chargers
Not all properties benefit from permitted development rights. You need to check your property before starting any works. Please visit the permitted development web page for more information.
If the property benefits from permitted development rights, please visit the below web page. It sets out what works can be completed without planning permission:
Permitted development for electric vehicle chargers
On-street parking
New planning rules take effect on 21 October 2026. They introduce permitted development rights for electric vehicle (EV) charging without a traditional driveway:
For the new ‘Class F’ permitted development rights to apply, the EV chargepoint must be installed as part of an approved local authority scheme for cross-pavement channels. This applies whether the channel is installed by, on behalf of, or with the authorisation of, a highway authority.
Class F does not permit a channel in any of these three locations:
within a site designated as a scheduled monument
within the curtilage of a listed building
within a conservation area.
S178 Licences
Please note if you use on-street parking you should not trail a cable across the pavement. You will need a licence from Cornwall Council to install an EV channel. Information about this process can be found on the apply to install an EV charging channel web page.
Apply to install an EV charging channel
Building Regulations
Building regulation approval is required in all cases.