Porterville Municipal Code Art. VII Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permit Expediting

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM (EVCS): Any level of electric vehicle supply equipment that is designed and built in compliance with the California Electrical Code, delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into one or more electric vehicles, and meets all applicable safety standards.

ELECTRONIC SUBMITTAL: The utilization of one or more of the following approved methods:

A. E-mail;

B. Internet;

C. Other electronic methods approved by the City.

SPECIFIC, ADVERSE IMPACT: A significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified, and written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions. (Ord. 1932, 5-5-2026)

The purpose of this article is to adopt an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging systems pursuant to Government Code Section 65850.7. This article is intended to encourage the use of electric vehicle charging systems by removing unreasonable barriers, minimizing costs to property owners and the City, and ensuring installations are safe and compliant with applicable codes. The terms, phrases, and words used in this process shall be construed in compliance with California Government Code Section 65850.7. (Ord. 1932, 5-5-2026)

This article applies to the permitting of all electric vehicle charging systems within the City. Existing systems legally installed prior to the effective date of this article shall not be subject to these requirements unless modifications are made that require a new permit or until such time as State law mandates such. (Ord. 1932, 5-5-2026)

Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the Building Official shall implement an expedited administrative permit review 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 administrative permit review process and checklist may refer to the recommendations in the checklist prescribed by the most current version of the “Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Permitting Checklist” of the “Zero-Emission Vehicles in the California: Community Readiness Guidebook” published by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. The City’s checklist shall be published on the City’s website. (Ord. 1932, 5-5-2026)

Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this process and associated supporting documentations. In accepting such permit applications, the Building Official shall also accept electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a we signature by any applicant. (Ord. 1932, 5-5-2026)

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 defined by Civil Code Section 4080. (Ord. 1932, 5-5-2026)

Any provision of the City or appendices thereto, inconsistent with these provisions, to the extent of such inconsistencies and no further, are hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary to effect these provisions. (Ord. 1932, 5-5-2026)

If any section of this article is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions. (Ord. 1932, 5-5-2026)