The purpose of this chapter is to comply with Government Code Section 65850.7 and 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. 1508 § 1, 2018)
(A) 
Streamlined Process. 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.
(B) 
Checklist Effective with Commission Approval. The Building Official's checklist and procedures shall become effective upon approval by the Planning Commission, which approval may be granted by motion or resolution. Such procedures may be amended by the Planning Commission from time to time. The City's adopted checklist and procedures shall be published on the City's website, and shall be binding upon all applicants.
(C) 
Checklist Contents. The checklist and procedures 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. Such checklist must ensure that all requirements of this chapter are met, including the following:
(1) 
Standards for EV Station. 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.
(2) 
Electrical Code Requirements. 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.
(3) 
Load Calculations. 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.
(4) 
Anchorage. 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.
(5) 
Property Owner Associations. In the technical review of a charging station, consistent with 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 Civil Code Section 4080.
(Ord. 1508 § 1, 2018)
(A) 
Adverse Impact Prohibited. 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. "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. 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.
(B) 
Permit Applications. A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the City's adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed. If the Building Official determines that the permit application is incomplete, the Building Official 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. Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the permit application and supporting documents meet the City's checklist requirements and are consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the Building Official shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, issue a permit for the electric vehicle charging station.
(C) 
Electronic Submission Permitted. Permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documentation may be submitted via email to the Building Official, but such documentation shall only be considered received on the date the Building Official personally responds via email that the documents were received. 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.
(D) 
Appeal. The Building Official's determination may be appealed to the Planning Commission. Such appeal shall be governed by the procedures of Division 2 (Review Procedures) of PMC Title 17 (Zoning), except that the determination of the Planning Commission shall be final and cannot be appealed to the City Council. After conducting the public hearing, the Review Authority shall issue its determination in writing based upon substantial evidence in the record.
(Ord. 1508 § 1, 2018; Ord. 1614 § 4 (Exh. I), 2023)
The Director of Public Works, or designee, is authorized to designate parking spaces or stalls in any off-street parking facility owned and operated by the City of Palmdale for the exclusive purpose of charging and parking a vehicle that is connected for electric charging purposes.
(Formerly 10.08.010; Ord. 1476 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1508 § 1, 2018)