Larkspur Municipal Code Ch. 15.55 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The purpose of this chapter is to establish an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations. (Ord. 1027 § 1, 2018)

The following words and phrases as used in this section are defined as follows:

A. “Electronic submittal” means the utilization of one (1) or more of the following:

1. E-mail;

2. The Internet;

3. Facsimile.

B. “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, 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. A charging station may include essential signage, parking lot striping, wheel stops, bollards and other similar directional and safety improvements as necessary for safe operation of EVCS equipment.

C. “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. 1027 § 1, 2018)

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. (Ord. 1027 § 1, 2018)

A. The City shall adopt a checklist of all requirements with which electrical vehicle charging stations shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The Chief Building Official is hereby authorized and directed to develop and adopt such checklist.

B. The checklist shall be published on the City’s Internet website. The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the City’s Building Division by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees. In the case of electronic submittal, the electronic signature of the applicant on all forms, applications and other documentation may be used in lieu of a wet signature.

C. Prior to submitting an application, the applicant shall verify that the installation of an electric vehicle charging station will not have a 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.

D. An application that satisfies the information requirements in the checklist, as determined by the Chief Building Official, shall be deemed complete. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the Chief Building Official shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.

E. Upon confirmation by the Chief Building Official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the Chief Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the electrical vehicle charging station to the local utility provider’s electricity grid. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility provider.

F. The Chief Building Official may require an applicant to apply for a use permit if the Chief Building Official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety. Applications for use permits for vehicle charging stations shall be made on forms provided by the City and shall contain information as required by the Chief Building Official to assist in making a determination. Applications for use permits may also provide potential alternatives for preventing adverse impact. If a use permit is required, the Chief Building Official may deny an application only if the Chief Building Official makes written findings based upon substantial evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid, as defined, the adverse impact. Such findings shall include the basis for the rejection of the potential feasible alternative for preventing the adverse impact. Such decisions may be appealed to the Planning Commission. Terms in this section not defined in this chapter shall have the same meaning as such terms in Government Code Section 65850.5.

G. Only one (1) inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection by the Chief Building Official. If an electric vehicle charging station fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized and need not conform to the requirements of this subsection.

H. No approval by a homeowner’s association, as defined in Section 4080 of the Civil Code, shall be required for construction of an electric vehicle charging station that is located on private property and outside of restricted common areas. (Ord. 1069 § 5, 2023; Ord. 1027 § 1, 2018)