(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 § 2.52.060 of this code.
(B) Review of the application for a permit for an electric vehicle charging station shall be limited to the Building Officials 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 use permit is required pursuant to division (A) of this section, the Building Official may deny the application if the 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 Cal. Civil Code § 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. 2017-06 § 5, 2017)