Chapter 16.07
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
Sections:
16.07.200 Expedited permitting process.
16.07.300 Permit application processing.
16.07.500 Electric vehicle charging station installation requirements.
16.07.100 Definitions.
A. “Automatic load management system (ALMS)” means a system designed to manage load across one (1) or more electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) to share electrical capacity and/or automatically manage power at each connection point.
B. “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 chapter, and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.
C. “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.
D. “Electronic submittal” means an application submittal pursuant to this chapter by utilizing one (1) or more of the following:
1. Electronic mail or email;
2. The Internet; or
3. Facsimile. [Ord. 34-2022 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 2-10-2023; Ord. 25-2017 §3, eff. 10-27-2017]
16.07.200 Expedited permitting process.
Consistent with Section 65850.7 of the Government Code, the Development Services Director shall develop and implement an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations, and shall adopt a checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply 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. The City’s adopted checklist shall be published on the City’s website. [Ord. 25-2017 §3, eff. 10-27-2017]
16.07.300 Permit application processing.
A. Prior to submitting an application for processing, the applicant shall verify, subject to the technical review set forth at EGMC Section 16.07.400, that the installation of an electric vehicle charging station shall not have specific, adverse impacts 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.
B. Subject to the technical review set forth at EGMC Section 16.07.400, 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 meet the requirements of the City adopted checklist, are consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, and do not require a minor conditional use permit or parking reduction permit following the technical review set forth at EGMC Section 16.07.400, the City Building Official shall, consistent with Section 65850.7 of the Government Code, 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 electrical utility serving the City of Elk Grove. If the Building Official determines that the permit application is incomplete, he or she shall, within thirty (30) days of receipt of an application or resubmitted application or application materials, 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. Failure to timely issue a notice of incomplete application within the time frames set forth herein shall result in the application being deemed complete.
C. Consistent with Section 65850.7 of the Government Code, the Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this article and associated supporting documentation. 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. 25-2017 §3, eff. 10-27-2017]
16.07.400 Technical review.
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 Development Services Director 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 minor use permit or a parking reduction permit, dependent on the specific impacts.
B. In the technical review of a charging station, consistent with Section 65850.7 of the Government Code, 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 Section 4080 of the Civil Code. [Ord. 25-2017 §3, eff. 10-27-2017]
16.07.500 Electric vehicle charging station installation requirements.
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 and the California Green Building 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.
E. An automatic load management system (ALMS) may be used to reduce the maximum required electrical capacity to each EVSE space served by the ALMS in accordance with requirements of the California Green Building Code.
F. The electric vehicle charging requirements set forth herein are intended to reflect the electric vehicle charging requirements set forth in the 2022 California Building Standards Code, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. State law shall govern in the event of any inconsistency relating to electric vehicle charging requirements between the 2022 California Building Standards Code and this chapter. [Ord. 34-2022 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 2-10-2023; Ord. 25-2017 §3, eff. 10-27-2017]
16.07.600 Right of appeal.
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the denial or conditioning of an electric vehicle charging station permit by the Building Official may be appealed by the applicant by filing a written appeal with the Building Official within thirty (30) days from the date of that action or decision. Said appeal shall be processed in accordance with the Board of Appeals procedures contained in Division II, Section 113 of the California Building Code. The decision of the Board of Appeals shall be final, and there shall be no further or other right of appeal.
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the decision on any minor conditional use permit or parking reduction permit required by this chapter may be appealed by the applicant as provided in EGMC Section 23.14.060. [Ord. 25-2017 §3, eff. 10-27-2017]