Compton Municipal Code § 15-27 Expedited Permitting Process for Electric Charging Stations

[Added 6-23-2026 by Ord. No. 2369]

This section applies to applications for expedited building permits for electric vehicle charging stations consistent with California Government Code Sections 65850.7 and 65850.71.

[Added 6-23-2026 by Ord. No. 2369]

Unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this section shall be defined as follows:

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION or CHARGING STATION

Shall mean any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station that is designed and built in compliance with Article 625 of the California Electrical Code, as may be amended from time to time, and delivers electricity from a source outside of an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.

ELECTRONIC SUBMITTAL

Shall mean a submittal of an application utilizing email, the internet, and/or facsimile transmission.

SPECIFIC, ADVERSE IMPACT

Shall mean 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.

[Added 6-23-2026 by Ord. No. 2369]

a. Checklist. The building official shall adopt and maintain a checklist of all application requirements for expedited permits for electric vehicle charging stations. The checklist shall substantially conform to the most current version of the "Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Permitting Checklist" published by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. The checklist, application form, and any other required documents shall be published on the City's website.

b. Any person seeking to install a charging station shall apply for an expedited, nondiscretionary permit from the City Building and Safety Department.

c. Applications and associated documentation may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically. Electronic signatures may be used in lieu of wet signatures.

d. An application that satisfies the checklist requirements shall be deemed complete.

e. If an application is incomplete, the building official shall provide a written correction notice identifying deficiencies.

f. A complete application shall be approved ministerially unless the building official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety.

g. If the building official finds, based on substantial evidence, that a proposed charging station could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, the City may require the applicant to apply for an electric vehicle charging station use permit in order to install the proposed charging station.

h. An application for an electric vehicle charging station use permit shall be reviewed by the building official. The building official shall not deny such an application without making written findings, based upon substantial evidence in the record, that the proposed charging station would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety which could not feasibly be satisfactorily mitigated or avoided. The written findings required for rejection of an electric vehicle charging station use permit application shall include the building official's basis for rejecting any potentially feasible alternatives that could mitigate or prevent the alleged adverse impact. Pursuant to Government Code Sections 65850.7 and 65850.71, the building official's review shall be limited to health and safety issues. Aesthetic concerns or other items not related to public health or safety may not be considered.

i. A decision of the building official made pursuant to paragraphs f through h of this subsection may be appealed in accordance with applicable City procedures to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission's review shall also be limited to health and safety issues.

j. Any condition imposed on an application for an expedited permit or charging station use permit shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost.

k. The City shall comply with applicable State timelines for completeness review and permit approval, consistent with Government Code Sections 65850.7 and 65850.71.

l. If an electric vehicle charging station and any associated equipment interfere with, reduce, eliminate, or in any way impact the required parking spaces for existing uses, the City shall reduce the number of required parking spaces for the existing uses by the amount necessary to accommodate the electric vehicle charging station and any associated equipment.

m. The requirements of this chapter are in addition to any other applicable requirements of this Code, and any requirements of a utility provider, that must be satisfied before an electric vehicle charging station may be installed or operated.

[Added 6-23-2026 by Ord. No. 2369]

Fees for permits and inspections associated with this chapter are established by resolution of the City Council.

[Added 6-23-2026 by Ord. No. 2369]

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.