Firebaugh Municipal Code § 8-21 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]

The City seeks to encourage the use of fuel-efficient electric vehicles by streamlining the process for obtaining a building permit for electric car charging stations. This section is also purposed to comply with California Government Code sections 65850.7 and 65850.71.

[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]

CEC

Means California Code of Regulations title 24, part 3, also known as the California Electrical Code.

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 CEC and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.

ELECTRONIC SUBMITTAL

Means the utilization of one or more of the following: e-mail; the internet; facsimile. "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.

[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]

a. The City building official shall implement and adopt an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations, and a checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The expedited, streamlined permitting process and checklist may refer to the checklist and standard plans 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.

b. The checklist, application form, and any other documents required by the City building official shall be published on the City's website.

[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]

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 expedited, streamlined permitting process and checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed. Upon confirmation by the City building official that the permit application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the City-adopted checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws, and health and safety standards, the City 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.

c. If the application for an expedited building permit is incomplete, the City building official shall provide a written correction notice of the deficiencies and the additional information required to be eligible for expedited building permit issuance.

d. The City building official shall not condition the approval for any electric vehicle charging station permit on the approval by an association, as that term is defined by California Civil Code section 4080.

e. Beginning January 1, 2023, an application to install an electric vehicle charging station shall be processed in accordance with the time periods under Government Code section 65850.71.

[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]

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

[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]

a. Electric vehicle charging station equipment shall meet the requirements of the CEC, the society of automotive engineers, association, and accredited testing laboratories such as underwriters laboratories, and rules of the public utilities commission regarding safety and reliability.

b. Installation of electric vehicle charging stations and associated wiring, bonding, disconnecting means, and overcurrent protective devices shall meet the requirements of article 625 of the CEC, and all applicable provisions under California Code of Regulations, title 24, part 3.

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 CEC. 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.

[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]

This section aims 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 City building official's authority to address higher priority life-safety situations. If the City building official finds, based on substantial evidence, that an 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 conditional use permit.