Pinole Municipal Code Ch. 15.58 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permits

The purpose and intent of this chapter is 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 intended to comply with the requirements of California Government Code Section 65850.7, as may be amended from time to time.

(Ord. 2017-09 § 2 (part), 2017)

For the purpose of carrying out the intent of this chapter, the terms in this chapter have the meaning set forth below:

A. APPLICATION CHECKLIST. That checklist with the application requirements of the city for charging stations which is in substantial conformance with that checklist 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 Office of Planning and Research.

B. BUILDING OFFICIAL. The Building Official for the City of Pinole or the Building Official's designee as the person responsible for administering the provisions of this chapter.

C. CITY. The City of Pinole.

D. ELECTRONIC SUBMITTAL. The utilization of one (1) or more of the following:

• 1. Email;
• 2. The Internet; or
• 3. Facsimile.

E. EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCESS. The process outlined in Section 15.58.040 for permit review and inspection requirements.

F. ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION. 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 electrical vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.

G. FEASIBLE METHOD TO SATISFACTORILY MITIGATE OR AVOID THE SPECIFIC ADVERSE IMPACT. A safe, cost-effective method, condition or mitigation imposed by the City to address the adverse impact at a project site or imposed on another similarly situated application in a prior successful application for a similar permit.

H. SPECIFIC, ADVERSE IMPACT. 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. 2017-09 § 2 (part), 2017)

The Building Official is authorized to administer the provisions of this chapter. The Building Official shall have approval authority for applications to install, alter and replace electric vehicle charging stations through the issuance of a building permit or similar nondiscretionary permit.

(Ord. 2017-09 § 2 (part), 2017)

The Building Official shall implement an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations allowing for permit processing in a timely manner, and shall prepare an application checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply with in order to be eligible for expedited review. The city's checklist shall be published on the city's website and shall be accessible to the public.

(Ord. 2017-09 § 2 (part), 2017)

A. Prior to submitting an application for processing, the applicant shall at the applicant's cost, verify to the Building Official's reasonable satisfaction 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: support structure stability; 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 city'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 city adopted checklist, and is 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.

C. Approval does not authorize an applicant to energize or utilize the electric vehicle charging station, unless and until a permit has been issued and final inspection has been completed and approval is granted by the city and the electric utility carrier.

D. Inspections shall be required and performed by the Building Division. If an inspection is required, the inspection shall be done in an efficient and 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.

E. If the Building Official determines that the permit application is incomplete, he or she shall issue written comments to the applicant, detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.

F. The Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documentations.

(Ord. 2017-09 § 2 (part), 2017)

A. 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 an administrative use permit.

B. In the technical review of an electric vehicle charging station, 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. 2017-09 § 2 (part), 2017)

A. Electric vehicle charging station equipment shall meet the requirements of the California Electrical Code, the National Electric Code, 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 of the National Electric Code, 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 provisions of the manufacturer's installation instructions. Mounting of charging stations shall not adversely affect building elements.

E. Inspections during installation are required and will be performed by the Building Division. Required inspections shall be done in an efficient and 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. If the electric vehicle charging station fails the initial inspection, a subsequent inspection shall be required.

(Ord. 2017-09 § 2 (part), 2017)

Any person having any record title or legal interest in the electric vehicle charging station may appeal any action or decision of the Building Official under this chapter by filing an appeal to the City Clerk in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 1.12.040 of this Code, or as may be amended.

(Ord. 2017-09 § 2 (part), 2017)