Ventura Municipal Code Ch. 12.146 Residential Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The purpose of this chapter is to establish an expedited, streamlined residential electric vehicle charging station permitting process that complies with AB 1236, to achieve timely and cost-effective installation of such stations. This chapter encourages the use of residential electric vehicle charging stations by establishing prescriptive guidelines, minimizing costs to property owners and the city, and expanding the ability of property owners to install electric vehicle charging stations. This chapter allows the city to achieve these goals while protecting the public health and safety. (Ord. No. 2017-013, § 2, 9-25-17)

“Application checklist” means that checklist with the application requirements of the city for electric vehicle 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.

“Association” means a nonprofit corporation or unincorporated association created for the purpose of managing a common interest development.

“Building official” means the chief building official of the city, or their designee.

“Common interest development” means any of the following:

1. A community apartment project;

2. A condominium project;

3. A planned development; or

4. A stock cooperative.

“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, or any successor regulation, and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.

“Electronic submittal” means the utilization of electronic mail.

“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. (Ord. No. 2017-013, § 2, 9-25-17)

This chapter applies to the permitting of all residential electric vehicle charging stations in the city. All electric vehicle charging stations shall require a permit issued in accordance with Section 12.146.060. It shall be unlawful for any person to install, operate, or maintain an electric vehicle charging station without such a permit for such work, and the permit shall be secured from the building official by a state-licensed electrical contractor.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, residential electric vehicle charging stations legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of 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 a residential electric vehicle charging station. Routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements of the components of an electric vehicle charging station shall not be considered a material change that requires a new permit. (Ord. No. 2017-013, § 2, 9-25-17)

A. All residential electric vehicle charging stations shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by the state and the city.

B. A residential electric vehicle charging station 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.

C. All residential electric vehicle charging stations permits shall be issued to a state-licensed electrical contractor. (Ord. No. 2017-013, § 2, 9-25-17)

A. All documents required for the submission of an expedited residential electric vehicle charging station application shall be made available on the publicly accessible city website.

B. Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents shall be made available to all permit applicants.

C. An applicant’s electronic signature shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature.

D. The residential electric vehicle charging station permit process and checklist(s) shall substantially conform to recommendations for expedited permitting, including the “Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Permitting Checklist” contained in the most current version of the “Zero-Emission Vehicles in California: Community Readiness Guidebook” published by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. (Ord. No. 2017-013, § 2, 9-25-17)

A. The building and safety division shall administratively approve an application to install residential electric vehicle charging stations through the issuance of a building permit or similar nondiscretionary permit.

B. Review of the application shall be limited to the building official’s review of whether the application meets local, state, and federal health and safety requirements.

C. Reserved.

D. The decision of the building official pursuant to subsection B of this section may be appealed to the local/housing appeals board, pursuant to Section 12.110.020.

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

F. City shall not condition approval for any electric vehicle charging station permit on the approval of an electric vehicle charging station by an association.

G. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the city shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance. (Ord. No. 2017-013, § 2, 9-25-17)

The city council may establish by resolution the fees for processing permits issued under this chapter. (Ord. No. 2017-013, § 2, 9-25-17)