Electric car charging stations outside of a person’s home — such as at a shopping center — were given the OK by Flowery Branch City Council Thursday night.

Because city ordinances didn’t address such stations, they haven’t been allowed in the South Hall city, City planner Rich Atkinson said.

“I just thought it was something to have on the books in case it comes up instead of scrambling to (address the issue),” he told the council.

Homeowners can have a charging system at home, usually in the garage, as long as they get a permit from the city to “make sure the wiring is done properly,” Atkinson has said.

The ordinance also says vehicle charging equipment “must be designed and located so as not to impede pedestrian, bicycle or wheelchair movement or create safety hazards on sidewalks.”

Charging stations have been installed in other areas in Hall County, such as the Kroger Marketplace at New Holland Market off Jesse Jewell and Limestone parkways in Gainesville. The city of Gainesville also installed a charging station in the city’s Main Street Parking Lot off Jesse Jewell Parkway, between Main and Maple streets.