CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: First Reading of Ordinance the City Council of the City of Commerce Amending Chapter 15.13 Titled Electric Vehicle Charging Stations MEETING DATE: August 11, 2026
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
Introduce for first reading, waive full reading and adopt by title only, Ordinance amending Chapter 15.13 of the Commerce Municipal Code adopting procedures concerning electrical vehicle charging stations.
BACKGROUND
On November 25, 2025, the City Council of the City of Commerce adopted an ordinance for second reading and added Chapter 15.13 of the Commerce Municipal Code related to Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in accordance with the State of California adopted Assembly Bill 1236 (2015, Chiu, Codified as Government Code Section 65850.7), which requires local jurisdictions to adopt an ordinance to create an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations.
An electric vehicle charging station is any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station which deliver electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle. AB 1236 may refer to the recommendations in the most current version of the “Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Permitting Checklist” of the “Zero-Emission Vehicles in California: Community Readiness Guidebook” published by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
AB 970 (McCarty, 2021), codified in Government Code Section 65850.71, builds on California's existing permit streamlining law, AB 1236. Jurisdictions are required by AB 1236 to limit permits for electric vehicle charging station project review to health and safety requirements. AB 970 adds specific binding timelines to that review period based on the size of the project and clarifies parking requirements.
ANALYSIS
The proposed ordinance establishes clear policies and procedures to the City’s already established permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations in accordance with state law by adding state required timelines and clarity for the allowance of electronic submittals and electronic signatures. The ordinance also adds definitions to further clarify the City’s intent of its permitting process.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve recommendation
Reject recommendation
Provide staff with further direction
Approved and Recommended by: Jessica Serrano, Director of Community Development Fiscal Impact reviewed by: Alvaro Castellon, Director of Finance Approved as to form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance