Chapter 15.36 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS

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 while promoting public health and safety and preventing specific adverse impacts in the installation and use of such charging stations. This chapter serves to comply with California Government Code Section 65850.7.

(Ord. 1887, 2/10/2026)

The following definitions shall apply to this chapter:

"Association" means a nonprofit corporation or unincorporated association created for the purpose of managing a common interest development, as defined in California Civil Code Section 4080.

"Checklist" means the city's adopted electric vehicle charging station permit submittal checklist that identifies the objective requirements an application must satisfy to qualify for expedited review.

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

"Electronic submittal" means the utilization of electronic mail (email); the Internet; facsimile (fax).

"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. 1887, 2/10/2026)

Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the building official shall implement an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations, and shall establish and maintain a checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply with 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 checklist shall be published on the city's website.

(Ord. 1887, 2/10/2026)

• 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 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 checklist and is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the building official shall, consistent with Government Code Section65850.7, 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, the building official 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.

• C. Consistent with 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.

• D. Should this chapter conflict with any permit processing requirements specified in any other chapter of the Gardena Municipal Code, this chapter shall take precedence.

• (Ord. 1887, 2/10/2026)

• A. The community development department shall implement an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of electric vehicle charging stations as set forth in Section 15.36.040.

• B. The building official may require an applicant to apply for a site plan review and/or conditional use permit pursuant to Title 18 (Zoning) of the Gardena Municipal Code, 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 and safety, as defined in this chapter.

  1. Such decisions may be appealed to the Planning and Environmental Quality Commission as set forth in Chapter 18.72 (Appeals).

  2. If a site plan review and/or conditional use permit is required, the city may deny such application if it makes written findings based upon substantive evidence in the record that:

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

     • b. There is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the adverse impact.

  3. Such findings shall include the basis for the rejection of the potential feasible alternative for preventing the adverse impact.

  4. A feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact may include, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition, or mitigation imposed by the city on a prior successful application for an electric vehicle charging station site plan review and/or conditional use permit approval, where the proposed charging station is similarly situated to the charging station in that prior successful application.

  5. No condition shall be imposed on the site plan review and/or conditional use permit that would require prior approval by an association.

• (Ord. 1887, 2/10/2026)

• A. Electric vehicle charging station equipment shall meet the requirements of the California Electrical Code, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories, and rules of the Public Utilities Commission or a Municipal Electric Utility Company 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 and all applicable provisions of the California Electrical Code.

• 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.

• E. Electric vehicle charging stations may only provide the minimum required signage for compliance with accessibility requirements, U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Controls, and/or any State required signage pertaining to electric vehicle charging stations.

• (Ord. 1887, 2/10/2026)

If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter and the application of the provision to other persons not similarly situated or to other circumstances shall not be affected thereby. (Ord. 1887, 2/10/2026)