Alhambra Municipal Code Ch. 20.23 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

(A) The purpose of this chapter is to establish an expedited, streamlined electric vehicle charging stations permitting process to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of electric vehicle charging stations, and to promote and encourage the use of electric vehicle charging stations and to limit obstacles to their use.

(B) This chapter applies to the permitting of all electric vehicle charging stations in the city. Electric vehicle charging stations legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of this chapter are not subject to the requirements of this chapter unless physical modifications or alterations are undertaken that materially change the size, type, or components of the electric vehicle charging stations in such a way as to require new permitting. Routine operation and maintenance shall not require a permit.

(Ord. 4780, passed 1-11-21)

For the purpose of this chapter, words and terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings set forth in this section. Where terms are not defined in this section and are defined elsewhere in this code, or the Building Code, such terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in such codes. Where terms are not defined through the methods authorized by this section, such terms shall have their ordinary accepted meanings such as the context implies.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE SUPPLY EQUIPMENT (EVSE) or ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION. Any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station that is designed and built in compliance with Article 625 of the California Electrical Code, as it reads on the effective date of this section, and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.

SPECIFIC, ADVERSE IMPACT. A significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified, and written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete.

(Ord. 4780, passed 1-11-21; Am. Ord. 4847, passed 6-23-25)

(A) Any person seeking to install an electric vehicle charging station shall apply for a permit from the city. The application for an electric vehicle charging station permit shall meet the requirements of § 20.09.010 and may be submitted in person or electronically through the online submittal system maintained by the Building Official.

(B) Prior to applying for an EVSE permit, the applicant shall verify that the installation meets all criteria in § 20.23.040. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, a written correction notice shall be issued detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance. The Building Official shall issue a written correction notice for any incomplete application received within five business days after submission of the application if it is for between one and 25 electric vehicle charging stations at a single site, or within ten business days if it is for more than 25 installations at a single site. If a correction notice is not issued within the applicable time frame the application shall be deemed complete.

(C) Review of an EVSE permit application shall be limited to whether it meets all health and safety requirements of local, state and federal law. Upon approval of a permit application by the Building Official, an electrical or building permit, as applicable, will be issued for work described in the application. The Building Official shall not deny an application for an EVSE permit unless they make written findings based upon substantial evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. The findings shall include the basis for the rejection of potential feasible alternatives of preventing the adverse impact. The decision of the Building Official to approve or deny an EVSE permit may be appealed to the planning commission pursuant to § 23.31.120 of this Code. The Building Official shall approve or deny an EVSE permit application within 20 business days after the application was deemed complete if the application is for between one and 25 electric vehicle charging stations at a single site, or within 40 business days if the application is for more than 25 installations at a single site.

(D) Permit fees for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations or EVSEs shall be charged according to the applicable fees prescribed in § 20.05.010 Building Code Administration Subsection 115 - FEES of this code, as applicable. The electrical permit fee for EVSEs shall be the same rate as the electrical power equipment in § 20.05.010 Building Code Administration Subsection 115 - FEES of this Code.

(Ord. 4780, passed 1-11-21; Am. Ord. 4847, passed 6-23-25)

(A) General. The design of electric vehicle charging stations shall comply with this section to qualify for permit issuance.

(B) Plug-in electric vehicle infrastructure permitting checklist. The permit application for the electric vehicle charging stations must comply with the requirements of the plug-in electric vehicle infrastructure permitting checklist, which is available on the city’s web site and as contained in the most current version of the “Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Permitting Checklist” of the “Zero-Emission Vehicles in California: Community Readiness Guidebook,” published by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research of the State of California and as adopted by the Building Official.

(C) Minimum electric vehicle charging station standards. The electric vehicle charging station or EVSE shall be identified and listed for the application as referenced in the Electrical Code.

(D) Compliance with laws. The electric vehicle charging station or EVSE shall also comply with all other applicable City of Alhambra Codes and California Health and Safety Laws.

(Ord. 4780, passed 1-11-21; Am. Ord. 4847, passed 6-23-25)

All construction or work for electric vehicle charging stations for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official and such construction work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved by the Building Official as specified in § 20.05.010 Building Code Administration Subsection 117 - INSPECTIONS.

(Ord. 4780, passed 1-11-21)