[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Chenango 1-6-2021 by L.L. No. 1-2021. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose 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.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION or CHARGING STATION
Any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station that is designed and built in compliance with the current version of the National Electrical Code, as may be amended from time to time, which delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.
ELECTRONIC SUBMITTAL
The utilization of electronic mail, facsimile and/or any online forms that may be created for submittal of electric vehicle charging station permit applications.
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 an electric vehicle charging station permit application was deemed complete.
Electric vehicle charging stations shall be a customary accessory use permitted in all zoning districts of the Town in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
Prior to submitting an application for processing, the applicant shall verify that the installation of electric vehicle charging station(s) will not have specific adverse impact to public health and safety and/or building occupants. Such verification shall be in writing and shall include all necessary maps, diagrams, technical drawings/specifications and any other documents necessary to provide the following information:
A. 
A letter from the utility company servicing the proposed charging station site certifying that the electrical system capacity and loads are sufficient, or will be upgraded to be sufficient, to accommodate the charging station(s) prior to the installation thereof;
B. 
Electrical system wiring, bonding and overcurrent protection;
C. 
Building infrastructure affected by charging station equipment and associated conduits;
D. 
Areas of charging station equipment and vehicle parking;
E. 
Any additional information that the Building Officer may reasonably require, including, but not limited to, a letter from a certified engineer as to the safety of all proposed construction.
A. 
The Building Official shall implement an expedited, streamlined permitting 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, streamlined permitting process and checklist shall be in accordance with the recommendations contained in the most current version of the "Electric Vehicle Charging Permitting Guidebook" as published by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA). At minimum, the adopted checklist shall require the applicant to submit:
(1) 
A completed permit application.
(2) 
The permit application fee.
(3) 
A proposed site plan (for projects located in nonresidential zoning districts, or for commercial use).
(4) 
An accurate survey or depiction showing the proposed placement of the charging station(s).
(5) 
For charging station(s) proposed to be located inside a structure, a floor plan showing the proposed location of the equipment.
(6) 
Manufacturers specifications, including the UL listing.
(7) 
Single-line wiring diagram, including the following:
(a) 
Conductor types and sizes.
(b) 
Size of the over current device (circuit breaker) supplying the EVCS.
(c) 
Conduit size, type and location.
(d) 
The manufacturer and model of the charging stations.
(e) 
The size of the main electric panel, distribution panels (subpanels) and disconnects.
(f) 
Type (level) of charging station.
(8) 
Electrical load calculation, including the size of existing electrical panel, existing load on the panel and proposed load/circuits from the electric vehicle charging system.
(9) 
Verification that the existing main service panel and all panels in the electrical system used for the charging station(s) are safe and free of electrical hazards.
(10) 
Verification of compliance with NYS Building Code, Chapter 4, Section 406.2.7, or any updated or amended version of the same. Verification of compliance with NFPA 70-531, Article 625, or any updated or amended version of the same.
(11) 
Verification of compliance with all state or federal regulations applicable.
B. 
A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the Town's adopted permit application checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed. Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the construction permit application and supporting documents meets the requirements of the adopted checklist and is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the Building Official shall approve the application and issue all necessary construction permits. If the Building Official determines that the construction permit application is incomplete, he or she 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.
C. 
The Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documentation. In accepting such permit applications, the Building Official shall also accept electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by any applicant.
A. 
It is the intent of this chapter to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations by removing obstacles to permitting for charging stations so long as the action does not supersede the Building Official's authority to address higher priority life-safety situations. 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 Town may require the applicant to apply for a special permit.
B. 
In the technical review of a charging station construction permit application, 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, meaning a nonprofit corporation or unincorporated association created for the purpose of managing a common interest development.
A. 
All electric vehicle charging station equipment shall meet the requirements of the New York Electrical Code, the National 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 all applicable provisions of the New York 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 New York Electrical Code. Electric vehicle charging equipment shall be considered a continuous load.
D. 
Anchorage of either base-mounted or wall-mounted electric vehicle charging stations shall meet the requirements of the New York Building or Residential Code as applicable per the provisions of the manufacturer's installation instructions. Mounting of charging stations shall not adversely affect building elements.
E. 
Prior to the granting of certificate of compliance, an electrical inspection shall be conducted by a licensed electrical inspector and reviewed and approved by the Town of Chenango Code Office.
The provisions of this chapter are separable and if any provision, clause, sentence, subsection, word or part thereof is held illegal, invalid, unconstitutional, or inapplicable to any person or circumstance, such illegality, invalidity or unconstitutionality, or inapplicability shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions, clauses, sentences, subsections, words, or parts of this chapter or their application to other persons or circumstances. It is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that this chapter would have been adopted if such illegal, invalid, or unconstitutional provision, clause, sentence, subsection, word or part had not been included therein, and as if such person or circumstance, to which the local law or part thereof is held inapplicable, had been specifically exempt therefrom.
Any Town ordinance, local law or Town Code provision and any parts thereof inconsistent with this chapter are hereby repealed or modified to the extent necessary to effect the provisions of this chapter.
This chapter shall take effect immediately upon filing with the New York State Secretary of State in accordance with Section 27 of the Municipal Home Rule Law.