Hydrogen and Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Local Permitting Policies

All cities and counties, including charter cities, must adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited and streamlined permitting process for EV chargers and hydrogen fueling stations. Cities and counties must approve applications to install EV chargers within five to ten business days, depending on the number of chargers proposed in the application. Applications will be approved after 20 to 40 business days, if the county or city does not approve the application, the building official does not deny the application, or the city or county does not submit an appeal. Each city or county must consult with the local fire department or district and the utility director to develop the ordinance, which must include a checklist of all requirements for EV chargers to be eligible for expedited review. A complete application that is consistent with the city or county ordinance must be approved, and entities submitting incomplete applications must be notified of the necessary required information to be granted expedited permit issuance. These provisions must be met by September 30, 2025, by cities and counties with populations above 250,000 residents. Cities and counties with populations less than 250,000 residents must meet these provisions by September 30, 2028.

(Reference California Government Code 65850.7 and 65850.71 and Assembly Bill 1418, 2024)