A. 
This chapter applies to applications for expedited building permits for electric vehicle charging stations consistent with California Government Code Section 65850.7.
B. 
Electric vehicle charging stations legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter are not subject to the requirements herein 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 to require new permitting. Routine operation and maintenance shall not require a permit.
(Ord. 1327 § 1, May 17, 2021)
For purposes of this Chapter, the following definitions apply:
"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 January 1, 2019 and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle. Where applicable, a "charging station" may include essential signage, parking lot striping, wheel stops, bollards and other similar directional and safety improvements as necessary for safe operation of electric vehicle charging station equipment.
"Electronic submittal"
means the submission of an application utilizing facsimile transmission, e-mail or any submittal via the internet.
"Feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact"
includes, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition, or mitigation imposed on an application for a permit.
"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. 1327 § 1, May 17, 2021)
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 over-current 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 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. 1327 § 1, May 17, 2021)
A. 
The Building Official shall adopt a checklist of all requirements with which electrical vehicle charging stations shall comply to be eligible for a business permit, which shall be consistent with information and requirements provided by the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development.
B. 
The checklist and all permitting documentation required for an electric vehicle charging station permit application shall be made available on the publicly accessible City website.
(Ord. 1327 § 1, May 17, 2021)
A. 
Applications for an expedited building permit for the installation, alteration, or replacement of an electric vehicle charging station shall be in writing and contain the information set forth in the application checklist.
B. 
An application for an expedited building permit for an electric vehicle charging station, and all associated documentation, may be submitted to the Building Official in person or by electronic submittal.
C. 
An applicant's electronic signature shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature.
(Ord. 1327 § 1, May 17, 2021)
Anyone seeking to install an electric vehicle charging station at any site within the City may apply to the Building Official for an expedited nondiscretionary building permit. When a completed application is received which meets all requirements of the application checklist, the Building Department shall review and approve for permit issuance an application for an electric vehicle charging station in a timely manner, as follows:
A. 
An application that satisfies the information requirements in the checklist, as determined by the Building Official, shall be deemed complete.
B. 
Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the Building Official shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.
C. 
Upon confirmation by the Building Official that an application is complete, the Building Official shall review the application. Review of the application shall be limited to the Building Official's review of whether the application meets local, state, and federal health and safety requirements and would not have a specific, adverse impact. Design Review is not required for electric vehicle charging stations.
D. 
If the Building Official determines that the proposed electric vehicle charging station meets all health and safety requirements of local, state and federal law and would not have a specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application within one to three days.
(Ord. 1337 § 1, May 17, 2021)
A. 
The Building Official may require an applicant to apply for an electric vehicle charging station permit if the Building Official makes written findings, based on substantial evidence, that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific adverse impact upon public health and safety.
B. 
If required by the Building Official, the applicant shall submit an application for an electric vehicle charging station permit, including any required documentation, as determined by the Building Official, regarding feasible methods to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact.
C. 
The Building Official shall not deny an application for an electric vehicle charging station permit, unless the Building Official makes written findings, based on substantial evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific adverse impact on public health or safety and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. The findings shall include the basis for the rejection of potential feasible alternatives of preventing the specific, adverse impact.
(Ord. 1327 § 1, May 17, 2021)
Any conditions imposed on an application for an electric vehicle charging station shall be crafted to mitigate the specific adverse impact upon health or safety at the lowest possible cost.
(Ord. 1327 § 1, May 17, 2021)
The Building Official's decision on a building permit or an electronic vehicle charging station permit may be appealed to the City Council in accordance with Section 14.05.021(B). The City Council's review shall be subject to the same limitations as that of the Building Official, and only health and safety issues may be considered.
(Ord. 1337 § 1, May 17, 2021)
A. 
Inspection requests may be made by electronic submittal, as required by the Building Official.
B. 
The inspection shall be completed in a timely manner and may include consolidation inspections if possible.
(Ord. 1327 § 1, May 17, 2021)