For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall be construed as defined in this section:
Electric vehicle charging station or charging station.
Any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station that is designed and built in compliance with Article 625 of the California Electrical Code, as it reads on the effective date of this chapter, and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.
Electronic submittal.
The utilization of one or more of the following.
1. 
Electronic mail or email.
2. 
The internet.
3. 
Facscimile.
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 the application was deemed complete.
(Ord. 1164 § 3, 2022)
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.
(Ord. 1164 § 3, 2022)
In compliance 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 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. All documents required for submission of an electric vehicle charging system application, including the City's adopted checklist, shall be made publicly available on the City's website.
(Ord. 1164 § 3, 2022)
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 overcurrent protection; building infrastructure affected by charging station equipment and associated conduits; and areas of charging station equipment and vehicle parking.
B. 
An application to install an electric vehicle charging station submitted to the Building Official shall be deemed complete if, after the applicable time period described in subsection (B)(3) below has elapsed, and both of the following are true:
1. 
The Building Official has not deemed the application complete, consistent with the checklist created by the City pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 65850.7 of the California Government Code.
2. 
The Building Official has not issued a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and identifying any additional information explicitly necessary for the Building Official to complete a review whether the electric vehicle charging station meets all health and safety requirements of local, state, and federal law, consistent with subdivisions (b) and (g) of Section 65850.7 of the California Government Code.
3. 
The "applicable time period" described in subsection (B) above means either five business days after submission of the application to the City if the application is for at least one, but not more than 25 electric vehicle charging stations at a single site; or 10 business days after submission of the application to the City if the application is for more than 25 electric vehicle charging stations at a single site.
C. 
An application to install an electric vehicle charging station shall be deemed approved if the applicable time period described in subsection (C)(5) below has elapsed and all of the following are true.
1. 
The Building Official has not administratively approved the application pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 65850.7 of the California Government Code.
2. 
The Building Official has not made a finding, based on substantial evidence, that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific adverse impact upon the public health or safety or required the applicant to apply for a use permit pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 65850.7 of the California Government Code.
3. 
The Building Official has not denied the permit pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 65850.7 of the California Government Code.
4. 
An appeal has not been made to the Planning Commission pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 65850 of the California Government Code.
5. 
The "applicable time period" described in subsection (C) above means either 20 business days after the application was deemed complete, if the application is for at least one, but not more than 25 electric vehicle charging stations at a single site; or 40 business days after the application was deemed complete, if the application is for more than 25 electric vehicle charging stations at a single site.
D. 
Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the permit application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the City adopted checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the Building Official shall, consistent with California Government Code Section 65850.7, 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.
E. 
Electronic Submittals. In compliance with Government Code Section 65850.7, the Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documentations. 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. 1164 § 3, 2022)
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 City may require the applicant to apply for a conditional use permit in accordance with Chapter 17.48 of the Paramount Municipal Code. The Building Official's decision to require a conditional use permit may be appealed by the applicant to the Planning Commission with a written appeal request within 10 days after the receipt of the applicant of the Building Official decision.
B. 
Association Approval. In the technical review of a charging station, in compliance with California Government Code Section 65850.7, 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, as that term is defined by California Civil Code Section 4080.
(Ord. 1164 § 3, 2022)
If an electric vehicle charging station and any associated equipment interfere with, reduce, eliminate, or in any way impact the required parking spaces for existing uses, the City shall reduce the number of required parking spaces for the existing uses by the amount necessary to accommodate the electric vehicle charging station and any associated equipment. There shall be no net loss of landscaped areas.
(Ord. 1164 § 3, 2022)
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 Code or California 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. 1164 § 3, 2022)