The intent and purpose of this chapter is to adopt an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations that complies with Government Code Section 6580.71, to achieve timely and cost-effective installations. This chapter is designed to encourage the use of electric vehicles by removing what the State Legislature considers to be unreasonable barriers, thus minimizing costs to property owners and the city, and expanding the ability of property owners to install electric vehicle charging systems and electric vehicle charging spaces. This chapter allows the city to achieve these goals while protecting the public health and safety.
(Ord. 1192-22 § 2)
For purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
"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, as it reads on the effective date of this article, and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.
"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.
"Electronic submittal"
means the utilization of one or more of the following:
1. 
Electronic mail or email.
2. 
Facsimile.
3. 
The internet.
"Zoning clearance"
means an approval from the city's planning department, as allowed in the Lawndale Municipal Code, by verifying the proposed use, structure and/or equipment complies with the city's land use requirements.
(Ord. 1192-22 § 2)
This chapter applies to the permitting of all electric vehicle charging stations in the city. Electric vehicle charging stations legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of this chapter are not subject to its requirements unless physical modifications or alterations are undertaken that materially change the size, type, or components of an electric vehicle charging station in such a way as to require new permitting. Routine operation and maintenance or like for like replacements with no structural alterations shall not require a permit.
(Ord. 1192-22 § 2)
A. 
In the technical review of a charging station permit application, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the building official shall not condition the approval for any such permit on the approval of such system by an association, as that term is defined by Civil Code Section 4080.
B. 
Prior to submitting an application for processing, the applicant shall verify that the installation of an electric vehicle charging station will not have 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; areas of charging station equipment and vehicle parking.
C. 
Anchorage of either floor-mounted or wall-mounted electric vehicle charging stations shall meet the requirements of the California Building or 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. 1192-22 § 2)
A. 
The building official shall implement an expedited, streamlined permitting process and adopt a checklist of all requirements which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply with in order to be eligible for expedited review within thirty days of the adoption of this chapter.
B. 
Electric vehicle charging stations shall be eligible for expedited review as provided in this chapter.
C. 
All documents required for submission of an expedited electric vehicle charging station system shall be made available on the city's publicly accessible website.
D. 
Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents via email, the city's website, or facsimile shall be made available to all electric vehicle charging station permit applicants.
E. 
The building and safety division shall adopt a standard plan and checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply to be eligible for expedited review.
F. 
The electric vehicle charging station permit process, standard plans, and checklist shall substantially conform to the recommendations for expedited permitting, including the checklist and standard 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 Governor's Office of Planning and Research.
G. 
All fees prescribed for the permitting of electrical vehicle charging stations shall comply with Government Code Section 17556.
(Ord. 1192-22 § 2)
A. 
For an application for electric vehicle charging stations that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, the building and safety division shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit within three business days following receipt of a completed application. The expedited, streamlined permitting process and checklist refers 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 checklist adopted by the city shall be published on the city's website. The building official may require the applicant to apply for an electric vehicle charging station use permit only if the official finds, based on substantial evidence, the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety. Such decisions may be appealed to the planning commission by filing a written appeal pursuant to Chapter 17.12 of the Lawndale Municipal Code.
B. 
Review of the application for a permit for an electric vehicle charging station shall be limited to the building official's review of local, state and federal building health and safety requirements. If the building official determines that the 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. 
If an electric vehicle charging station permit is required pursuant to subsection (A) of this section, the building official may deny the application if the building official makes written findings based upon substantive 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 written findings shall include the basis for the rejection of the potential feasible alternative for preventing adverse impact. Such decisions may be appealed to the planning commission as provided in this chapter.
D. 
Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost. The city shall use its best efforts to ensure the selected method, condition, or mitigation meets the conditions of Civil Code Section 714(d)(1)(A)—(B).
E. 
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 within three business days following the date the application is deemed incomplete.
F. 
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.
G. 
A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the city's adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed. Upon confirmation by the building official that the permit application and supporting documents meets the requirements of the city's 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 permits. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to energize or utilize the electric vehicle charging station until it passes final inspection by the city.
H. 
Only one inspection shall be required and it shall be performed by the building and safety division for electric vehicle charging stations eligible for expedited review.
I. 
The inspection shall be done in a timely manner and should combine inspections of multiple trades if feasible. An inspection shall be scheduled within two business days of a request.
J. 
If an electric vehicle charging station fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized but need not conform to the requirements of this chapter.
(Ord. 1192-22 § 2)
A. 
If the building official determines, based on substantial evidence, that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, the building official shall make written findings to support this determination and shall require the applicant to apply for a conditional use permit pursuant to the provisions of Title 17 (Zoning).
B. 
If the building official requires an electric vehicle charging station use permit, the planning commission shall approve an application for an electric vehicle charging station use permit to install an electric vehicle charging station, provided that the planning commission is able to make the findings set forth in Section 17.28.050 of the code and the planning commission determines there are feasible methods to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid specific, adverse impact upon public health and safety.
C. 
Appeals. Decisions of the building official may be appealed to the planning commission pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 17.12 of the Lawndale Municipal Code; decisions of the planning commission may be appealed to the city council pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 17.12 of the Lawndale Municipal Code.
(Ord. 1192-22 § 2)
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.
(Ord. 1192-22 § 2)
A. 
A zoning clearance shall be required if, based on substantial evidence, a finding is made that the charging station would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health, safety and general welfare.
B. 
Any conditions on a zoning clearance approval shall be solely imposed in order to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety and shall do so at the lowest cost possible.
C. 
New and proposed electric charging stations shall be subject to the city of Lawndale residential development standards and design guidelines.
D. 
New and proposed electric charging stations shall be designed in a manner to protect the visual character of the city through careful design, siting, landscaping and innovative camouflaging techniques for electrical charging station equipment.
(Ord. 1192-22 § 2)