McFarland Municipal Code Ch. 15.10 Expedited and Streamlined Permitting Process for Electrical Vehicle…

This Chapter implements Government Code Section 65850.7 for the purpose of promoting and encouraging 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.

(Ord. No. 4-2026, § 1, 5-27-26)

"A feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact" includes, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition, or mitigation imposed by a city, county, or city and county on another similarly situated application in a prior successful application for a permit.

"Electronic submittal" means the utilization of one or more of the following:

1. Electronic mail or email.

2. The internet.

"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 of 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.

(Ord. No. 4-2026, § 1, 5-27-26)

The building official, or designee, will adopt 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.

(Ord. No. 4-2026, § 1, 5-27-26)

A. The City's adopted checklist and any other application documents required for the submission of an electric vehicle charging station permit will be made available on the city's website and at city hall.

B. Applicants may submit the required permit application and documents by electronic submittal. An applicant's electronic signature will be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature.

C. Prior to submitting an application for processing, the applicant must verify that the installation of an electric vehicle charging station will not have specific, adverse impact on the public health and safety or 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. If the building official deems the application 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 will be sent to the applicant within ten days after submission of the application.

(Ord. No. 4-2026, § 1, 5-27-26)

A. 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.

B. Review of an electric vehicle charging station permit application is limited to whether the application meets local, state, and federal health and safety requirements, and whether the charging station poses any specific, adverse impact on public health or safety. If the application meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standards, and the proposed charging station does not pose any specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety, the building official must approve the application and issue any required, nondiscretionary permits.

C. 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 this Chapter, the city may require the applicant to apply for a use permit.

D. An application for an electric vehicle charging station permit may only be denied if the building official finds that:

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

2. There is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. These findings must be made in writing, must include the basis for the rejection of potential feasible alternatives of preventing the adverse impact, and must be based upon substantial evidence in the record.

E. The building official may not condition the approval for any electric vehicle charging station permit on the approval of such a system by an association, as that term is defined by Civil Code Section 4080.

F. The decision of the building official may be appealed to the planning commission. The appeal must be made on a form made available by the city. Appeals must be filed with the building official within ten calendar days following the date of the building official's decision. If the last day to file falls on a city-recognized holiday or on a Saturday or Sunday, the following business day shall be deemed the last day to act.

(Ord. No. 4-2026, § 1, 5-27-26)

A. Electric vehicle charging station equipment must 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 Southern California Edison Company.

B. Installation of electric vehicle charging stations and associated wiring, bonding, disconnecting means and overcurrent protective devices must meet the requirements of Article 625 and all applicable provisions of the California Electrical Code.

C. Installation of electric vehicle charging stations must 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 must be considered a continuous load.

D. Anchorage of either floor-mounted or wall-mounted electric vehicle charging stations must 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 may not adversely affect building elements.

(Ord. No. 4-2026, § 1, 5-27-26)

The applicant must pay to the city an application fee for an electric vehicle charging station permit, the amount of which will be fixed and established by the city council from time to time by resolution.

(Ord. No. 4-2026, § 1, 5-27-26)