Bell Municipal Code Ch. 15.40 Expedited Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permitting

Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, 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.

Electric vehicle charging stations which qualify for expedited permit processing, pursuant to Government Code Section 65850.7, shall be subject to the administrative permitting procedures set forth in this chapter.

(Ord. 1276 § 1, 2022)

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.

The terms, phrases, and words used in this chapter shall be construed in compliance with the definitions set forth by California Government Code Section 65850.7.

(Ord. 1276 § 1, 2022)

A. The building official shall implement an expedited administrative permit review process for electric vehicle charging stations and a checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply in order to be eligible for expedited review. The expedited administrative permit review process and checklist may refer to the recommendations in the checklist prescribed by 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. The city's checklist shall be published on the city's website.

B. The building official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documentations. In accepting such permit applications, the building official shall also accept electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by any applicant.

C. The building official shall not condition the approval for any electric vehicle charging station permit on the approval of such a system by an association, as that term is defined by Civil Code Section 4080.

D. A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the city's checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed. Upon confirmation by the building official that the permit application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the city checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws, the building official shall approve the application and issue all necessary permits. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to energize or utilize the electric vehicle charging station until approval is granted by the city. If the building official determines that the permit application is incomplete, they shall issue a written correction notice to the applicant, detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.

(Ord. 1276 § 1, 2022)

It is the intent of this chapter to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations by removing obstacles to permitting for charging stations so long as the action does not supersede the building official's authority to address higher priority life-safety situations. If the building official makes a finding based on substantial evidence that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific adverse impact upon the public health or safety, as defined in Government Code Section 65850.7, the city may require the applicant to apply for a use permit.

(Ord. 1276 § 1, 2022)