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 allows the city to achieve the statutory goals while protecting the public’s health, welfare and safety.
(Ord. 1643 § 1, 2020)
This chapter applies to the permitting of all electric vehicle charging station systems in the city, as that term is defined in this chapter. Electric vehicle charging station systems 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 system. Routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements of electric vehicle charging stations shall not require a permit.
(Ord. 1643 § 1, 2020)
The following words and phrases as used in this chapter are defined as follows:
“Building division”
means the building and safety division of the community development department of the city of Laguna Beach.
“Building official”
means the building official of the city of Laguna Beach.
“City”
means the city of Laguna Beach.
“Electric vehicle charging station” or “charging station”
means any level of electric vehicle supply equipment 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 one or more of the following:
1. 
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. 1643 § 1, 2020)
All electric vehicle charging station systems shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by the city and the state of California. Electric vehicle charging station systems shall also meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by the California Electrical Code, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories, and rules of Public Utilities Commission regarding safety and reliability.
(Ord. 1643 § 1, 2020)
(a) 
Within fourteen days of adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter, the building division shall develop and implement a checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The expedited permit review process and checklist may refer to the recommendations in the checklist prescribed by the most current version of 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 Office of Planning and Research.
(b) 
All documents required for the submission of an expedited electric vehicle charging station application, including the checklist, shall be made available on the city’s website and made available during business hours at the building division.
(c) 
Electronic submittal of the required permit application and associated documents by electronic means shall be made available to all electric vehicle charging station permit applicants.
(d) 
An applicant’s electronic signature shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of an original signature.
(Ord. 1643 § 1, 2020)
(a) 
The building division shall implement an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite the approval of electric vehicle charging station applications.
(b) 
An application that satisfies the information requirements in the city’s checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed. Upon confirmation by the building division that the 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 division shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, approve the application and issue all necessary permits.
(c) 
If an application for an electric vehicle charging station 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 permitting shall be sent to the applicant.
(d) 
If the building official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific adverse impact upon the public health and safety, the city may require an applicant to apply for a conditional use permit.
(e) 
If a special use permit is required, the city may not deny an application for an electric vehicle charging station special use permit unless the city makes written findings based upon substantial evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. Such finding shall include the basis for the rejection of potential feasible alternatives for preventing the adverse impact. Such decisions may be appealed to the planning commission in accordance with Section 25.05.070 of this code.
(f) 
Any conditions imposed on an application to install an electric vehicle charging station system shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost.
(g) 
The city shall not condition approval of an electric vehicle charging station system permit on the approval of an association, as defined in Section 4080 of the California Civil Code, that manages a common interest development.
(Ord. 1643 § 1, 2020)