East Palo Alto Municipal Code Ch. 15.13 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

A. Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, electric vehicle charging stations shall be permitted and processed through an expedited ministerial review process (Exhibit A) which shall be facilitated by the following:

1. The building official or their designee shall develop and implement a framework, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, for an expedited administrative permit review process (Exhibit A) for reviewing applications for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS).

2. A checklist (Exhibit B), prepared by the building official, of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply with in order to be eligible for expedited review.

3. The expedited 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.

4. The building official or their designee shall inform an applicant whether their application for an EVCS is complete or not within five (applications for twenty-five (25) or fewer charging stations) or ten (10) (applications for more than twenty-five (25) charging stations) business days. The applicant must be notified in writing if the application is incomplete and specify what additional information is required.

5. The building official or their designee shall approve or deny a permit for an EVSC within twenty (20) days (applications for twenty-five (25) or fewer charging stations) or forty (40) (applications for twenty-five (25) or more charging stations) business days after the application is deemed complete. Application not acted upon in time are deemed approved.

6. The checklist shall be adopted by the city council and published on the city's website.

(Ord. No. 07-2025, § 2, 10-21-2025)

Application Submittal Requirements:

1. To obtain a permit to install an EVCS, the applicant shall first file an application therefor in writing on a form furnished for that purpose by the building official or their designee. Every such application shall contain the following information:

a. The location and legal description of the land on which the EVCS would be installed.

b. The name of the legal owner of the land on which the EVCS would be installed.

c. The alterations or additions, if any, to be made to the site to accommodate the EVCS.

d. The name and address of the person who will install the foundations and do any other necessary work that may be required at the site.

e. Any such other information as may reasonably be required by the building official or their designee.

2. Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the building official or their designee shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications and submittal requirements online above. 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.

3. Association Approvals: Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the building official or their designee shall not condition the approval for any electric vehicle charging station permit on the approval of such a system by a homeowner's, business, or other association, as that term is defined by Civil Code Section 4080.

(Ord. No. 07-2025, § 2, 10-21-2025)

All EVCS permit applications shall be processed as follows:

1. An EVCS permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the city's adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed.

2. The building official or their designee shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, approve the EVCS application and issue all necessary permits upon confirmation that the permit application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the city's adopted checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws.

3. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to energize or utilize the electric vehicle charging station until approval is granted by the city.

4. If the building official or their designee determines that the permit application is incomplete, he or she 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. No. 07-2025, § 2, 10-21-2025)

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 65850.7, the applicant may be required to apply for a use permit.

(Ord. No. 07-2025, § 2, 10-21-2025)

EXHIBIT A Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) Permitting Process

Step 1: Submit Application:

a. Submit a building permit application for EVCS installation

b. Application can be online or in person.

Step 2: Completeness Review:

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If incomplete: Agency must notify applicant in writing and list specific deficiencies.

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If complete or no response: Application is deemed complete.

Step 3: Approval or Denial:

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If no action is taken in time: Application is deemed approved.

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Denial allowed only if:

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A specific, adverse impact on public health/safety is identified.

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There is no feasible way to mitigate that impact.

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Supported by substantial evidence in the record.

(Ord. No. 07-2025, § 2, 10-21-2025)

EXHIBIT B Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permit (EVCS) Application Form/Checklist

1. Project Information:

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Project Address/Location

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Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)

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Project Description (include number and type of chargers)

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Contact Info for applicant, contractor, and property owner

2. Application Forms & Approvals:

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Completed Building/Electrical Permit Application

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Contractor License Info

3. Plan Requirements:

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Site Plan:

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Location of all proposed EV charging equipment

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Setbacks from property lines

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Existing structures and parking areas

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Compliance with ADA accessibility

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Electrical Drawings/Plans:

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Please provide list of required submittals and calculations

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Structural Plans (if applicable):

4. Equipment Details:

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Provide Manufacturer's Specification etc.

5. Streamlined Review Eligibility:

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Project is limited to EVCS installation (not new buildings)

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Application includes all required information listed above

6. Application Submittal:

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Submit online via City portal

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Submit in-person to Building Division

(Ord. No. 07-2025, § 2, 10-21-2025)