Chapter 15.16 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS

Editor's note— Ord. No. 508, § 1, adopted December 14, 2010, repealed former Ch. 15.16 which pertained to the California Mechanical Code and derived from Ord. No. 475, § 2, 1-8-2008; and Ord. No. 385, § 10, 2002.

This chapter aims to promote and encourage 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. This chapter is also purposed to comply with California Government Code Section 65850.7.

(Ord. No. 652, 12-9-2025, eff. 1-8-2025)

A.

"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.

B.

"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.

C.

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

Electronic mail or email.

The internet.

Facsimile.

(Ord. No. 652, 12-9-2025, eff. 1-8-2025)

Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the 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 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. The town's adopted checklist shall be published on the town's website.

A.

Deems an application to install an E.V. charging station complete if the building official of the city, county, or city and county has not either deemed the application complete or written a correction notice detailing the deficiencies in the application within the following periods:

Five (5) business days of the application being submitted to construct at least one and up to twenty-five (25) charging stations at a single site.

Ten (10) business days of the application being submitted to construct more than twenty-five (25) charging stations at a single site.

B.

Deems approved an application to install an E.V. charging station twenty (20) business days after the application was deemed complete for an installation of up to twenty-five (25) charging stations at a single site or forty (40) business days for an installation of more than twenty-five (25) charging stations if all the following are valid:

The building official has not administratively approved or denied the application based on the requirements of AB 1236.

The building official has not found that the E.V. charging station could have a specific adverse impact on public health or safety or require the applicant to apply for a use permit.

An appeal has not been made to the planning commission of the town.

(Ord. No. 652, 12-9-2025, eff. 1-8-2025)

A.

Before submitting an application for processing, the applicant shall verify that installing an electric vehicle charging station will not have a specific, adverse impact on 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.

B.

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 town adopted checklist and are 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 the town grants approval. If the building official determines that the permit application is incomplete, they 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.

C.

Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the building official shall allow for the electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documentation. In accepting such permit applications, the building official shall also accept electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other documentation in place of a wet signature by any applicant.

(Ord. No. 652, 12-9-2025, eff. 1-8-2025)

A.

This chapter intends to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations by removing obstacles to permitting charging stations so long as the action does not supersede the building official's authority to address higher-priority life-safety situations. If the building official makes a finding based on substantial evidence that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific adverse impact on public health or safety, as defined in this chapter, the town may require the applicant to apply for a use permit.

B.

In the technical review of a charging station, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the building official 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.

(Ord. No. 652, 12-9-2025, eff. 1-8-2025)

A.

Electric vehicle charging station equipment shall 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 the Public Utilities Commission or a Municipal Electric Utility Company regarding safety and reliability.

B.

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

C.

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

D.

Anchorage of either floor-mounted or wall-mounted electric vehicle charging stations shall meet the requirements of the California Building or Residential Code as applicable per occupancy and the manufacturer's installation instructions provisions. Mounting of charging stations shall not adversely affect building elements.

(Ord. No. 652, 12-9-2025, eff. 1-8-2025)