Santa Rosa Municipal Code Ch. 18-69 Expedited Permit Process for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an expedited, streamlined electric vehicle charging station permitting process that complies with AB 1236 (Chapter 598, Statutes 2015, California Government Code Section 65850.7) in order to achieve timely and cost effective installations of electric vehicle charging stations. This chapter encourages the use of electric vehicle charging stations by removing unreasonable barriers, minimizing costs to property owners and the City and expanding the availability of electric vehicle charging station installations to property owners. This chapter allows the City to achieve these goals while protecting the public health and safety.

(Ord. 2019-022 § 15; Ord. 2022-015 § 15)

As used in this chapter:

"Electronic submittal"

means the utilization of one or more of the following:

(A)

Email.

(B)

The Internet.

(C)

Facsimile.

"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 section and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.

(Ord. 2019-022 § 15; Ord. 2022-015 § 15; Ord. 2025-014, 11/18/2025)

(A) This chapter applies to the expedited permitting of all electric vehicle charging stations in the City.

(B) Electric vehicle charging stations legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in 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 an electric vehicle charging station in such a way as to require permitting. Routine operation and maintenance shall not require a permit.

(C) If it is determined by the Building Official that the electric vehicle charging station as proposed would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, then the applicant may be required to apply for a minor use permit.

(Ord. 2019-022 § 15; Ord. 2022-015 § 15)

(A) All electric vehicle charging stations shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by State law and City Code.

(B) Electric vehicle charging stations 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.

(Ord. 2019-022 § 15; Ord. 2022-015 § 15)

(A) All documents required for the submission of an expedited vehicle charging station application shall be made available on the City website.

(B) The Building Official shall develop and implement an electronic submittal process for receipt and issuance of ministerial expedited vehicle charging station applications that conform to approved standard plans and checklists.

(C) The Building Official shall adopt an application, standard plan and checklist of all requirements with which expedited vehicle charging stations shall comply to be eligible for expedited review.

(D) The expedited vehicle charging station permit application and process, standard plans, and checklists shall substantially conform to the recommendations for expedited permitting, including the checklist and standard plans 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.

(E) Applications not fully conforming to the definition of "electric vehicle charging station" or that are not consistent with the standard plans and checklists adopted, or that include additional work beyond the scope contained in the standard plans and checklists shall not be eligible for expedited review and will be subject to standard permit application requirements.

(Ord. 2019-022 § 15; Ord. 2022-015 § 15)

(A) Prior to submitting an application, the applicant shall:

(1) At the applicant's cost, verify to the applicant's reasonable satisfaction using standard electrical inspection techniques that the existing electrical system including existing line, load, ground and bonding wiring as well as main panel and subpanel sizes are adequately sized, based on the existing electrical system's current use, to carry all new electric vehicle charging station electrical loads.

(B) Review of the ministerial application shall be limited to the Building Official or qualified designee's review of whether the application is complete and meets the requirements of the standard plans and checklist and all state law and City Codes and standards. The Building Official may accept additional documentation to substantiate compliance with standards as an amendment to the checklist.

(C) If an application 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 permit issuance shall be sent to the applicant for resubmission. Additional fees may be charged for subsequent application reviews.

(D) The ministerial electric vehicle charging station application shall be reviewed and approved or rejected within three business days of application. Resubmittals shall also be reviewed, approved or rejected within three business days and may be subject to additional plan review fees.

(E) Upon confirmation by the Building Official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the standard plans and checklist including all health and safety requirements of state and City Code standards, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the electric vehicle charging station to the local utility provider's electricity grid. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility provider.

(F) If an electric vehicle charging station installation fails inspection, a subsequent re-inspection is authorized and may be subject to additional fees.

(Ord. 2019-022 § 15; Ord. 2022-015 § 15; Ord. 2025-014, 11/18/2025)