The intent and purpose of this chapter is to adopt an expedited, streamlined permitting process that complies with section 65850.7 of the California Government Code to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of electric vehicle charging stations. The provisions of this chapter encourage the use of electric vehicle charging stations by removing unreasonable barriers, minimizing costs to property owners and the city, and expanding the ability of property owners to install electric vehicle charging stations, while allowing the city to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
(Ord. No. 17-13, § 1, 9-19-17)
For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
A feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate the specific, adverse impact
includes, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition, or mitigation imposed by the city on another similarly situated application in a prior successful application for a permit.
Building official
means the city building official or his/her designee.
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, and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.
Electronic submittal
means the utilization of one or more of the following:
(1) 
Electronic mail or email.
(2) 
The Internet.
(3) 
Facsimile.
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. 17-13, § 1, 9-19-17)
Consistent with Government Code section 65850.7, 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 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. The city's adopted checklist and required permitting documentation shall be published on the city's website.
(Ord. No. 17-13, § 1, 9-19-17)
(a) 
An electric vehicle charging station shall meet all applicable health and safety requirements of local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
(b) 
An 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, including, but not limited to, Underwriters Laboratories, and, where applicable, rules of the Public Utilities Commission regarding safety and reliability.
(Ord. No. 17-13, § 1, 9-19-17)
(a) 
Prior to submitting an application for processing, the applicant shall verify that the installation of an electric vehicle charging station will not have a specific, adverse impact to public health and safety and building occupants. Verification by the applicant includes, but is not limited to: electrical system capacity and loads; electrical system wiring, bonding, and 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 adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed. Upon confirmation from the building official that the permit application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the city's adopted checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the building official shall, consistent with Government Code section 65850.7, administratively approve the application and issue all necessary permits. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to energize or utilize the electric vehicle charging station until approval is granted by the city. If the building official determines that the permit application is incomplete, he or she shall issue a written correction notice to the applicant, detailing the deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.
(c) 
The building official shall not condition the approval for any electric vehicle charging station permit on the approval of such system by an association, as that term is defined by Civil Code section 4080.
(d) 
Consistent with Government Code section 65850.7, the building official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications 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.
(Ord. No. 17-13, § 1, 9-19-17)
(a) 
It is the intent of this chapter to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations by removing obstacles to permitting for electric vehicle charging stations so long as the action does not supersede the building official's authority to address higher priority life-safety situations.
(b) 
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, the city may require the applicant to apply for a use permit. The building official shall not deny an application for a use permit to install an electric vehicle charging station unless he or she makes written findings based on substantial evidence in the record that: (1) the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety; and (2) there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. Such findings shall include the basis for the rejection of the potential feasible alternatives of preventing the adverse impact.
(c) 
The building official's decision on an application to install an electric vehicle charging station, to require a use permit as set forth herein, or to deny a use permit as set forth herein may be appealed to the planning commission.
(Ord. No. 17-13, § 1, 9-19-17)
The decisions of the building official set forth in this chapter may be appealed to the planning commission.
(Ord. No. 17-13, § 1, 9-19-17)
The fees for permits issued under this chapter shall be as established by city council resolution.
(Ord. No. 17-13, § 1, 9-19-17)