St. Helena Municipal Code Ch. 10.40 Electric Vehicles

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Sections:

• 10.40.010 Purpose. 10.40.020 Definitions.

• 10.40.030 Expedited permitting process.

• 10.40.040 Permit application processing.

• 10.40.050 Technical review.

• 10.40.060 Electric vehicle charging station installation requirements. 10.40.070 Severability.

The purpose of this chapter is to adopt an expedited, streamlined electric vehicle charging station permitting process that complies with California Government Code Section 65850.7, to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of electric vehicle charging stations. This chapter is intended to encourage the use of electric vehicle charging stations by establishing prescriptive guidelines, minimizing costs to property owners and the city of St. Helena, and limiting obstacles for property owners to install electric vehicle charging stations, consistent with state law. (Ord. 21-3 § 2)

“Building department” shall mean the building department of the city of St. Helena, and shall include reference to the chief building official or his or her designee.

“City checklist” shall mean the checklist developed by the city of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging station(s) must comply in order to be eligible for expedited review. The city’s checklist and all other permitting documentation shall be published and accessible on the city’s website.

“Electric vehicle charging station” or “charging station” shall mean any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station that is designed and built in compliance with Article 625 of the California Electrical Code, and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.

“Electronic submittal” shall mean the utilization of one or more of the following: (1) email; (2) the internet; or (3) facsimile.

“Specific, adverse impact” shall mean 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 an application was deemed complete. (Ord. 21-3 § 2)

A. Consistent with California Government Code Section 65850.7, as may be amended from time to time, the city shall implement an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations, and develop 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 “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.

• B. The city’s checklist and required application forms shall be published on the city’s website. (Ord. 21-3 § 2)

A. Prior to submitting an application for processing, an 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: reviewing and complying with 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 checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed. A complete application pursuant to this section does not authorize an applicant to energize or utilize the electric vehicle charging station until approval and all necessary permits are granted by the building department.

C. If the building department determines that the permit application is incomplete, it 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.

D. The building department shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documentations. In accepting such permit applications, the building department shall also accept electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by any applicant. (Ord. 21-3 § 2)

A. The building department shall review all electric vehicle charging station applications. Notwithstanding the expedited permit processing set forth in this chapter, the building department retains authority at all times to identify and address higher priority life-safety situations.

B. If the building department makes a finding based on substantial evidence that an 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 a use permit pursuant to Chapter 17.168. An application for a use permit to install an electric vehicle charging station shall not be denied unless the planning department makes written findings based upon substantial evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. The findings shall include the basis for the rejection of potential feasible alternatives.

C. Any conditions imposed on an application to install a charging station shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety at the lowest cost possible.

D. In the technical review of a charging station application, the building department shall not condition the approval of any electric vehicle charging station permit on the approval of such a system by an association, as that term is defined by California Civil Code Section 4080.

E. Upon confirmation by the building department that the permit application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the city’s checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the building department shall, consistent with California Government Code Section 65850.7, as may be amended, approve the application and issue all necessary permits. (Ord. 21-3 § 2)

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 provisions of the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Mounting of charging stations shall not adversely affect building elements. (Ord. 21-3 § 2)

If any section, subsection, phrase, or clause of this chapter is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter. The city council would have passed this chapter and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of this chapter would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional. (Ord. 21-3 § 2)

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-5, passed June 23, 2026.

Disclaimer: The city clerk’s office has the official version of the St. Helena Municipal Code. Users should contact the city clerk’s office for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: www.cityofsthelena.gov

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