Chapter 9 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS

8-9.01 Applicability and purpose 8-9.02 Electric vehicle charging stations requirements 8-9.03 Duties of the Building Department 8-9.04 Expedited permit review and inspection requirements

This chapter applies to the permitting of all electric vehicle charging stations in the City. 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 the electric vehicle charging station in such a way as to require new permitting. Routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements shall not require a permit. (§ 2, Ord. 3061, eff. December 1, 2016)

(a) “Electric vehicle charging station” or “charging station” means all of the following: (1) Any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station; (2) Is designed and built in compliance with Article 625 of the California Electrical Code; (3) Delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle; (4) Conforms to all applicable state fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the City, and all state and City health and safety standards; (b) An electric vehicle charging station 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. 3061, eff. December 1, 2016)

(a) A checklist and required permitting documentation of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply to be eligible for expedited review and all documents required for the submission of an expedited electric vehicle charging stations shall be published on the City’s publicly accessible Internet Web site. (b) Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents via email, or facsimile shall be made available to all electric vehicle charging stations permit applicants. Web site applications may be allowed at such time in the future that the technology is made available by the City. (c) An applicant’s electronic signature shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature. (d) The Building Department shall adopt a checklist and required permitting documentation of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply to be eligible for expedited review.

(e) The checklist and required permitting documentation of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations 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” published by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. (§ 2, Ord. 3061, eff. December 1, 2016)

(a) The Building Department shall adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite the approval of electric vehicle charging stations applications within 30 days of the adoption of this chapter. (b) An application for electric vehicle charging stations that meets the requirements of the checklist and required permitting documentation of all requirements shall be deemed complete, and the Building Department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit at expedited rate. (c) Review of the application shall be limited to the Building Department’s review of whether the applicant meets local, state and federal health and safety requirements. (d) If an application for electric vehicle charging station 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 permitting shall be provided to the applicant for resubmission. (e) Inspections shall be required and performed by the Building Department for electric vehicle charging stations. (f) The inspection shall be done in an efficient inspection process, in a timely manner, and should include consolidated inspections; inspection measures taken should be consistent with safety requirements to ensure that the electric vehicle charging stations are properly installed. (g) If electric vehicle charging station fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized but need not conform to the requirements of this chapter. (§ 2, Ord. 3061, eff. December 1, 2016)