Los Altos Hills Municipal Code Ch. 11 Streamlined Permitting Process for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The intent of this chapter is to adopt an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations that complies with AB 1236 (Chapter 598, Statutes 2015, Cal. Gov't Code Section 65850.7) and AB 970 to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of electric vehicle charging stations. The chapter encourages the use of electric vehicle charging stations by removing unreasonable barriers, minimizing costs to property owners and the Town of Los Altos Hills, and expanding the ability of property owners to install electric vehicle charging stations. The chapter allows the Town of Los Altos Hills to achieve these goals while protecting the public health and safety.

(§ 2, Ord. 605, eff. December 17, 2022)

Electric vehicle charging station(s) or charging station(s)

means any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station that is designed and built in compliance with California Code of Regulations, Title 24 Part 3 California Electrical Code Article 625, as it reads on the effective date of this chapter or as it may be amended, and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.

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.

(§ 2, Ord. 605, eff. December 17, 2022)

This chapter applies to the permitting of all electric vehicle charging stations in the Town of Los Altos Hills. Electric vehicle charging stations legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of this chapter are not subject to the requirements of this chapter unless physical modifications or alterations are undertaken that materially change the size, type, or components of a small rooftop energy system in such a way as to require new permitting. Routine operation and maintenance shall not require a permit.

(§ 2, Ord. 605, eff. December 17, 2022)

(a) All electric vehicle charging stations shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by the state and the Town.

(b) Electric vehicle charging stations shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by the California Electrical Code, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories and where applicable, rules of the Public Utilities Commission regarding safety and reliability.

(§ 2, Ord. 605, eff. December 17, 2022)

(a) All documents required for the submission of an electric vehicle charging station system application shall be made available on the Town of Los Altos Hills website.

(b) Electronic submittal of the required permit application and associated documents for electric vehicle charging station system permits may be made by email. As an alternative an applicant may submit a permit application and associated documents at the Building Division front counter during regular business hours.

(c) The Building Division shall adopt a checklist of all requirements with which the electric vehicle charging stations shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The electric vehicle charging station permit process, standard(s) and checklist(s) shall substantially conform to recommendations for permitting, including the checklist and standards contained in the "Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Permitting Checklist" of the "Zero-Emission Vehicles in California: Community Readiness Guidebook" published by the Office of Planning and Research.

(d) All fees prescribed for the permitting of electric vehicle charging stations shall comply with Cal. Gov't Code Section 65850.55, Cal. Gov't Code Section 66015, Cal. Gov't Code Section 66016, and State Health and Safety Code Section 17951 as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by resolution by the Town Council.

(§ 2, Ord. 605, eff. December 17, 2022)

(a) Permit Application and Plan Review.

(1) Prior to Submitting Application. Prior to submitting an application for processing, the applicant shall verify that the installation of an electric vehicle charging station will not have a specific, adverse impact upon 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.

(2) Administrative Review. The Building Division shall prepare and implement an administrative, nondiscretionary permit issuance process, in accordance with AB 970, to expedite approval of electric vehicle charging station permits within 30 days of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

(3) Complete Application. A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the Town's adopted 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 Townadopted checklist and is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the Building Official shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, 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 Building Division.

(4) Incomplete Application. If an application is deemed incomplete, a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance shall be emailed to the applicant for resubmission.

(5) Review of the Application. Review of the permit application shall be limited to the Building Division's review of whether the application meets local, State and Federal health and safety requirements.

(b) Inspections.

(1) Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the Building Division for electric vehicle charging systems. During the required inspection, if it is found that the installation does not conform to the approved plans and/or comply with the current California Building Code and/or California Electrical Code requirements, then an additional follow-up inspection, or inspections, shall be required. If an electric vehicle charging station system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized.

(2) The Building Division inspection shall be scheduled within three business days, upon request, and may include consolidated inspections.

(§ 2, Ord. 605, eff. December 17, 2022)