§ 18.50

This chapter is and may be cited as the "Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permitting Process." The chapter is enacted pursuant to Government Code section 65850.7 as established by Assembly Bill 1236 (Chapter 598, Statutes 2015).

(Ord. No. 4479, § 1, 1-5-2021)

The purpose of this chapter is to create an expedited, streamlined permitting process that complies with AB 1236 and Government Code section 65850.7 to achieve timely and cost-effective installation of electric vehicle charging stations. This chapter encourages the installation and use of electric vehicle charging stations by removing obstacles to and minimizing the cost of permitting for charging stations, and by expanding the ability of residential, agricultural, and commercial property owners to install electric vehicle charging stations. This chapter allows the county to achieve these goals while protecting the public health and safety. The expedited permitting process shall allow the building official to administratively approve an application to install electric vehicle charging stations through the issuance of a building permit.

(Ord. No. 4479, § 1, 1-5-2021)

This chapter applies to the permitting of electric vehicle charging stations in the unincorporated territory of the County of Mendocino. Electric vehicle charging systems legally established or permitted prior to the building official's implementation of an expedited permitting process 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 an electric vehicle charging station in such a way as to require new permitting.

(Ord. No. 4479, § 1, 1-5-2021)

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

(A)

"Electronic submittal" means the utilization of Email; the Internet; or 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designed and built in compliance with Article 625 of the California Electrical Code, as that article may be amended or superseded, and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.

(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.

(D)

"Building Official" has the same definition as stated in section 18.04.010.

(Ord. No. 4479, § 1, 1-5-2021)

(A)

All electric vehicle charging stations shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements of local, state, and federal law.

(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.

(Ord. No. 4479, § 1, 1-5-2021)

(A)

The Building Official shall adopt a checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The checklist and all required permitting documentation

shall be published on the County of Mendocino's Department of Planning and Building Services website.

(B)

In developing the expedited permitting process and checklist, the building official may refer to the recommendations contained in the most recent version of the "Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Permitting Checklist" of the "Zero-Emission Vehicles in California: Community Readiness Guidebook" published by the State of California's Office of Planning and Research. The building official may modify the checklists and standards found in the guidebook due to unique climactic, geological, seismological, or topographical conditions.

(C)

The Building Official may establish a process to prioritize competing applications for expedited permits.

(Ord. No. 4479, § 1, 1-5-2021)

(A)

The Department of Planning and Building Services shall provide for the electronic submittal of electric vehicle charging station permit applications, though the method of electronic submittal shall be at the Department's discretion and electronic submittal of applications is not required. In the case of electronic submittal, the electronic signature of the applicant on all forms, applications, and other documents may be used in lieu of a wet signature. If at the time of a permit application, the county's supporting technology does not facilitate electronic signatures, the county, at its discretion, may authorize the acceptance of either electronic signature or wet signature.

(B)

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

(C)

Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the application is complete and meets the requirements of the checklist, and is consistent with this chapter, the building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. However, the county may withhold issuance of the permit or authorization if there is a violation on record for any structure associated with the application under review.

(D)

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, the permit application shall be denied.

(E)

This expedited permitting process is intended to apply only to applications for permits for electric vehicle charging stations, and will not expedite the review of any other permit applications.

(F)

The Building Official's decision to approve or deny a permit for an electrical vehicle charging station may be appealed to the Mendocino County Planning Commission pursuant to the appeal provisions of the relevant division of the Mendocino County Zoning Code.

(Ord. No. 4479, § 1, 1-5-2021)

CHAPTER 18.70 - EXCAVATION AND GRADING