Part 9 — Local Modifications to

APPENDIX A5 - NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

Division A5.1 - PLANNING AND DESIGN

Section A5.106.5.3 - A5.106.5.3.4 of the California Green Building Standards Code are adopted as mandatory measures and amended to read:

A5.106.5.3 Electric vehicle (EV) charging for nonresidential structures. New non-residential structures shall comply with the following requirements for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). All parking space calculations under this section shall be rounded up to the next full space. The requirements stated in this section are in addition to those contained in Section 5.106.5.3 of the California Green Building Standards Code.

A5.106.5.3.1 Nonresidential structures other than hotels. The following standards apply to newly constructed non-residential structures other

than hotels.

Comply with Section 5.106.5.3.1 EV capable spaces, Section 5.106.5.3.2 Electric vehicle charging stations and associated Table

A5.106.5.3.3, or Section A5.106.5.3.4 Electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS)—power allocation method and associated Table A5.106.5.3.4.

Refer to Section 5.106.5.3.2 for the permitted use of Level 2 or Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) to create EVCS. Refer to Section

Refer to Section 5.106.5.3.3 for the allowed

use of Automatic Load Management System (ALMS).

Table A5.106.5.3.3 - Tier 2 EV Capable Spaces and EVCS

Total Number of Actual Number of Required EV Other than Office and Retail Number of Office and Retail Number of Required Parking Spaces Capable Spaces Required EVCS2,3 EVCS2,3

Total Number of Actual Number of Required EV Other than Office and Retail Number of Office and Retail Number of Required Parking Spaces Capable Spaces Required EVCS2,3 EVCS2,3

1-9 3 2 2 10-25 8 4 6 26-50 17 9 13 51-75 28 14 21 76-100 40 20 30 101-150 57 29 43 151-200 79 40 59 45% of actual parking 201 and over 50% of EV capable spaces1 75% of EV capable spaces1 spaces1

1. Calculation for spaces shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
2. Each EVCS shall reduce the number of required EV capable spaces by the same number.
3. At least one Level 2 EVSE shall be provided.

Table A5.106.5.3.4 - Tier 2 EVCS - Power Allocation Method

Other than Office and Retail Total kVA Office and Retail Total kVA Required in
Required in any Combination of EV Total Number of Actual Minimum Total kVA at 6.6. any Combination of EV Capable3,4,
Parking Spaces kVA Capable3,4, Low Power Level 2, Level Low Power Level 2, Level 21,2, or
21,2, or DCFC DCFC

Other than Office and Retail Total kVA Office and Retail Total kVA Required in
Required in any Combination of EV Total Number of Actual Minimum Total kVA at 6.6. any Combination of EV Capable3,4,
Parking Spaces kVA Capable3,4, Low Power Level 2, Level Low Power Level 2, Level 21,2, or
21,2, or DCFC DCFC

1-9 19.8 19.8 19.8 10-25 52.8 52.8 52.8 26-50 112.2 112.2 112.2 51-75 184.4 184.4 184.4 76-100 264 264 264 101-150 376.2 376.2 376.2 151-200 521.4 521.4 521.4 45% of actual parking Total required kVA = P x .45 x 6.6 Total required kVA = P x .45 x 6.6 201 and over spaces x 6.6 Where P = Parking spaces in facility Where P = Parking spaces in facility

1. Level 2 EVSE at 6.6 kVA minimum.
2. At least one Level 2 EVSE shall be provided.
3. Maximum allowed kVA to be utilized for EV capable spaces is 75%.
4. If EV capable spaces are utilized, they shall meet the requirements of Section 5.106.5.3.1 EV capable spaces.
5. For office and retail buildings the maximum allowed kVA to be utilized for EV capable spaces is 25%.

Location. The EVSE, receptacles, and/or raceway required by this section shall be placed in locations allowing convenient installation of and access to EVSE. Location of EVSE or receptacles shall be consistent with all city regulations.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Division A5.4 - ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Section A5.203.1 of Appendix A5 of the California Green Building Standards Code is not adopted as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 elective measure. Projects shall comply with Chapter 16.17 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (California Energy Code).

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Division A5.4 - MATERIAL CONSERVATION AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

Section A5.405.5 of Appendix A5 of the California Green Building Standards Code is adopted as a Mandatory measure for Tier 1 and Tier 2 projects and is amended to read:

A5.405.5 Cement and concrete. Use cement and concrete made with recycled products and complying with the following sections and requirements per PAMC Chapter 16.14.240.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Section A5.408 of Appendix A5 of the California Green Building Standards Code is adopted as a Mandatory measure for Tier 2 projects and is amended to read:

A5.408.3.1 Waste enhanced construction waste reduction. (80% construction waste reduction) as a mandatory requirement for all non- residential construction, including new construction, additions, and alterations, as long as the construction has a valuation of $25,000 or more. Non- residential projects with a lower valuation shall remain subject to California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 5 mandatory measures.

Exceptions:

1. Residential stand-alone mechanical, electrical or plumbing permits.

2. Commercial stand-alone mechanical, electrical or plumbing permits.

A5.408.3.1.1 - Deleted.

A5.408.3.1.2 Documentation. Documentation shall be provided to the enforcing agency which demonstrates compliance with all construction

and demolition waste reduction requirements.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Chapter 16.15

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS

(a) Definitions.

(1) “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.

(2) “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.

(3) “Electronic submittal” means the utilization of one or more of the following:

i. Electronic mail or email.

ii. The internet.

iii. Facsimile.

(b) Expedited permitting process. Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the Chief Building Official shall implement an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations, and 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 “Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permitting Guidebook” published by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. The city’s adopted checklist shall be published on the city’s website.

(c) Permit application processing.

(1) Prior to submitting an application for processing, the applicant shall verify that the installation of an electric vehicle charging station will not

have 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.

(2) A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the city’s adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly

processed. Upon confirmation by the Chief Building Official or designee that the permit application and supporting documents meets the requirements of the city adopted checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the Chief Building Official or designee 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 city. If the Chief Building Official or designee determines that the permit application is incomplete, he or she shall issue a written correction notice to the applicant, detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.

(3) The Chief Building Official or designee shall 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.

(4) Permit applications under this section may be submitted electronically, including electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other

documentation.

(d) Technical review. It is the intent of this section 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 Chief Building Official’s authority to address higher priority life-safety situations. If the Chief Building Official or designee 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 section, the city may require the applicant to apply for a use permit.

(Ord. 5661 § 2, 2025)