Blythe Municipal Code Ch. 15.64 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permits

The purpose of this chapter is to promote and encourage the use of electric vehicles by creating an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations that complies with California Government Code Section 65850.7 while promoting public health, safety and welfare and preventing specific adverse impacts in the installation and use of such charging stations.

(Ord. No. 916, § 2, 8-9-22)

The following words, terms and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

A. "Building official" means the building official of the city or his or her designee.

B. "Electronic submittal" means utilization of one or more of the following: electronic mail or email, the internet, or facsimile.

C. "Electric vehicle charging station" or "charging station" means any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station that is designed and built in compliance with Article 625 of the California Electrical Code, and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.

D. "Feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate the specific, adverse impact" includes, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition, or mitigation imposed by the city on another similarly situated application in a prior successful application for a permit.

E. "Specific, adverse impact" means 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. No. 916, § 2, 8-9-22)

Consistent with California Government Code Section 65850.7, the building official shall implement an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations, and adopt a checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply in order to be eligible for expedited review. The expedited, streamlined permitting process and checklist may refer to the recommendations 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" as published by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. The city's adopted checklist shall be published on the city's website.

(Ord. No. 916, § 2, 8-9-22)

A. An electric vehicle charging station shall meet all applicable health and safety standards and requirements of local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

B. An electric vehicle charging station shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by the California Electrical Code, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and accredited testing laboratories, including, but not limited to, Underwriters Laboratories, and, where applicable, rules of the Public Utilities Commission regarding safety and reliability.

C. Installation of electric vehicle charging stations shall be incorporated into the load calculations of all new or existing electrical services and shall meet the requirements of the California Electrical Code. Electric vehicle charging equipment shall be considered a continuous load.

D. Anchorage of either floor-mounted or wall-mounted electric vehicle charging stations shall meet the requirements of the California Building or Residential Code as applicable per occupancy, and the provisions of the manufacturer's installation instructions. Mounting of charging stations shall not adversely affect building elements.

(Ord. No. 916, § 2, 8-9-22)

A. Prior to submitting an application for processing, the applicant shall verify that the installation of an electric vehicle charging station will not have specific, adverse impact to public health and safety and building occupants. Verification by the applicant includes, but is not limited to: electrical system capacity and loads; electrical system wiring, bonding and overcurrent protection; building infrastructure affected by charging station equipment and associated conduits; areas of charging station equipment and vehicle parking.

B. A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the city's adopted 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's adopted checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the building official shall, consistent with California Government Code Section 65850.7, administratively 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.

C. If the building official determines that the permit application is incomplete, he or she shall issue a written correction notice to the applicant within the time period established by California Government Code Section 65850.71, detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.

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

E. Consistent with California Government Code Section 65850.7, the building official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications and associated supporting documentation. 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.

(Ord. No. 916, § 2, 8-9-22)

A. Consistent with California Government Code Section 65850.7, it is the intent of this chapter to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations by removing obstacles to, and minimizing costs of, permitting for charging stations so long as the action does not supersede the building official's authority to identify and address higher priority life-safety situations.

B. 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, the city may require the applicant to apply for a use permit. The building official shall not deny an application for a use permit to install an electric vehicle charging station unless he or she makes written findings based on substantial evidence in the record that:

1. The proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety; and

2. There is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. Such findings shall include the basis for the rejection of potential feasible alternatives of preventing the adverse impact.

(Ord. No. 916, § 2, 8-9-22)

The decisions of the building official set forth in this chapter may be appealed to the city council. An appeal shall be in writing and shall be filed with the city clerk within ten calendar days of the date of building official's decision. Appeals shall be accompanied by the fee required for the taking of such appeals, which fee shall be set by city council resolution.

(Ord. No. 916, § 2, 8-9-22)

The fees for permits issued under this chapter shall be as established by city council resolution.

(Ord. No. 916, § 2, 8-9-22)