ITEM 5. 2
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT
SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
ITEM: PUBLIC HEARING ( PUBLISHED NOTICE) TO
CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
LATHROP TO ADD CHAPTER 15. 32 TO TITLE 15
BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION") OF THE
LATHROP MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH AN
EXPEDITED, STREAMLINE PERMITTING PROCESS
FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
RECOMMENDATION: Council to Consider the Following:
1. Hold a Public Hearing; and
2. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance
to Add Chapter 15. 32 to Title 15 (" Buildings and
Construction") of the Lathrop Municipal Code to
Establish an Expedited, Streamline Permitting
Process for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
SUMMARY:
In order to maintain compliance with State Law, staff is requesting the addition of Chapter 15. 32 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations ( EVCS) to the Lathrop Municipal Code. This Section establishes an expedited, streamline permitting process for EVCS permit applications under State mandated time limits.
BACKGROUND:
Chapter 15. 32 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations of the City of Lathrop Municipal Code would be adopted to set forth a streamline permitting process that allows for expedited administrative approval of EVCS permit applications through an expedite eligibility checklist.
The State of California mandated in Sections 65850. 7 and 65850. 71 of the Government Code that jurisdictions shall administratively approve EVCS permit applications, as long as there is no specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety. Assembly Bill 1236 was adopted to require local agencies to adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited and streamline permitting process for EVCS.
Assembly BiII 970 was adopted and added to the requirements of this ordinance, that requires cities to review EVCS permit applications under strict time limits and to deem applications approved if action is not taken within those timelines.
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT Page 2
SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
PUBLIC HEARING ( PUBLISHED NOTICE) TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LATHROP TO ADD CHAPTER 15. 32 TO TITLE 15
BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION") OF THE LATHROP MUNICIPAL
CODE TO ESTABLISH AN EXPEDITED, STREAMLINE PERMITTING
PROCESS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
This proposed Ordinance is intended to fully implement and comply with the requirements of AB 1236 and AB 970, and would establish procedures for electronic submittal, a publicly available submittal checklist for expedited permitting, strict permit review timelines, limited conditions for denial, and other requirements to streamline the approval process for EVCS projects.
REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of the Ordinance will ensure compliance with State Law to establish an expedited, streamline permitting process for EVCS, and aligns with the State of California and the City of Lathrop' s desire to encourage and facilitate the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure by reducing administrative barriers.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Ordinance to Add Chapter 15. 32 to Title 15 (" Buildings and Construction") of the Lathrop Municipal Code to Establish an Expedited, Streamline Permitting Process for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Exhibit A: Chapter 15. 32. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Salvador Navarrete
City Attorney
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT PAGE 3
SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
PUBLIC HEARING ( PUBLISHED NOTICE) TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LATHROP TO ADD CHAPTER 15. 32 TO TITLE 15
BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION") OF THE LATHROP MUNICIPAL
CODE TO ESTABLISH AN EXPEDITED, STREAMLINE PERMITTING
PROCESS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
APPROVALS:
Chief
Ed Short
Building Official
Date
8-. 28-a2- 5
Cari
Finan• e Di ector
Date
74/ 020 s
9 • Z• zozs
Michael King Date
Assistant City Manager
Date
51$ ( Oho? 5 —
Stephen 3. Salvatore Date
City Manager
ORDINANCE NO. 25 -
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LATHROP TO ADD CHAPTER 15. 32 TO TITLE 15 (" BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION") TO THE
LATHROP MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH AN EXPEDITED, STREAMLINE
PERMITTING PROCESS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS WHEREAS, the State of California has identified the widespread deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure as essential to the State' sgoals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting cleaner transportation alternatives; and WHEREAS, the State of California adopted Assembly Bill 1236, which requires local agencies to adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited and streamline permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations ( EVCS); and WHEREAS, the State of California adopted Assembly Bill 970, which requires cities to review EVCS permit applications under strict time limits and to deem applications approved if action is not taken within those timelines; and WHEREAS, the City of Lathrop desires to encourage and facilitate the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure by reducing administrative barriers and complying with all enforced and applicable state laws; and WHEREAS, the City acknowledges the transition to zero - emission vehicles and supporting EV adoption through responsive and efficient permitting practices; and WHEREAS, Sections 65850. 7 and 65850. 71 of the Government Code mandates that jurisdictions shall administratively approve EVCS applications through a ministerial process, unless the installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety that cannot be mitigated; and WHEREAS, this Ordinance is intended to fully implement and comply with the requirements of Assembly Bill 1236 and Assembly Bill 970 and any guidance provided by the Governor' sOffice of Business and Economic Development; and WHEREAS, this Ordinance establishes procedures for electronic submittal, a publicly available submittal checklist for expedited permitting, strict permit review timelines, limited conditions for denial, and other requirements to streamline the approval process for EVCS projects; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance contains no such findings regarding climatic, geological and/ ortopographical conditions; and
WHEREAS, the City Clerk will file this Ordinance and findings with the California Building Standard Commission after adoption; and WHEREAS, this Ordinance is exempt to CEQA review because pursuant to subdivision ( b) (3) of Section 15061 of the CEQA Guidelines ( 14 CCR 15061), CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment; and
WHEREAS, because the adoption of this Ordinance does not have a significant effect on the environment, this Ordinance is within exemption of CEQA.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the City Council of the City of Lathrop does hereby approve the addition of Chapter 15. 32 of Title 15 (" Building and Construction") of the Lathrop Municipal Code, as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 15. 32 entitled " Electric Vehicle Charging Systems ( EVCS) of the City of Lathrop Municipal Code is hereby added as shown in Exhibit A.
Section 2. Duty of Care. This Ordinance is not intended to and shall not be construed or given effect in a manner that imposes upon the city or any officer or employee thereof a mandatory duty of care toward persons and property within or without the city so as to provide a basis of civil liability for damages, except as otherwise imposed by law.
Section 3. Severability. If any section, subsection, phrase, or clause of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this ordinance and each section, subsection, phrase or clauses thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, phrases, or clauses be declared unconstitutional or invalidity of any sections, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take legal effect 30 days from and after the date of its passage.
Section 5. Publication. This ordinance shall be published in accordance with the provisions of Government Code Section 36933 of the Government Code.
THIS ORDINANCE was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lathrop on the 8th day of September 2025, and was PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lathrop on the day of 2025 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Paul Akinjo, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Teresa Vargas
City Clerk
Salvador Navarrete
City Attorney
EXHIBIT A
PROPOSED CHAPTER
Title 15. Buildings and Construction
Chapter 15. 32. ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEMS
EVCS)
15. 32. 010. Authority —Purpose —Applicability.
A. Authority. This chapter is adopted under the authority of Government Code Section 65850. 7.
B. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to adopt an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations ( EVCS).
C. Applicability. This chapter applies to the permitting of electric vehicle charging stations installed in commercial and residential applications.
Ord. 25- § J
15. 32. 020. Definitions.
The following words and phrases as used in this chapter are defined as follows:
Electronic Submittal" means the utilization of one or more of the following:
1. The City' s online portal;
2. The Internet;
3. Facsimile.
Electric Vehicle " means the following:
1. An automotive -type vehicle for on -road use, such as passenger automobiles, buses, trucks, vans, neighborhood electric vehicles, electric motorcycles, and the like, primarily powered by an electric motor that draws current from a
rechargeable storage battery, fuel cell, photovoltaic
array, or other source of electric current.
2. Plug- in hybrid electric vehicles ( PHEV) are considered electric vehicles For the purposes of this chapter, off -road, self- propelled electric vehicles, such as industrial trucks, hoists, lifts, transports, golf carts, airline ground support equipment, tractors, boats, and the like, are not included.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station ( EVCS)" means the following:
1. 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.
Specific, Adverse Impact" means the following:
PROPOSED CHAPTER
1. 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.
Ord. 25- § J
15. 32. 030. Expedited Permitting Process
A. Consistent with Section 65850. 7of the Government Code, the Building Official shall develop and implement an expedited, streamline 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.
B. The expedited, streamline permitting process and checklist may refer to the recommendations contained in the 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' sOffice of Planning and Research.
C. The City' s adopted checklist shall be published on the City' s website.
Ord. 25- § J
15. 32. 040. Requirements for Expedited Review and Inspections A. Application. An applicant for an electric vehicle charging system shall submit an electronic submittal containing a building permit application on the form provided by the City, accompanied by plans that reflect compliance with each item of information listed in the electric vehicle charging system checklist. Both the application and checklist are available online.
A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the City' s adopted checklist, as determined by the Building Official, and shows no specific, adverse impacts upon public health or safety, shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed for approval. Permit issuance will commence once all permit processing and inspection fees are paid by the applicant.
Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the Building Official shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.
Where it is found that the installation of an electric vehicle charging station will have a specific, adverse impact on public health or safety, the Building Official may require conditions for the installation of the electric vehicle charging station to mitigate a specific, adverse impact on public health or safety, consistent with Government Code Section 65850. 7.
B. Inspection. When a building permit is issued for a electric vehicle charging system, inspections will be performed in an efficient and timely manner and should include consolidated inspections where possible; inspection measures taken should be consistent with all applicable laws, codes and standards to ensure the electric vehicle charging system is properly and safely installed.
Ord. 25- )
PROPOSED CHAPTER
15. 32. 050. Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installation Requirements
A. All electric vehicle charging stations shall meet all applicable health and safety standards and the requirements imposed by the State and the City, local Fire Department, and servicing electric utility companies regarding safety and reliability.
B. Electric vehicle charging stations shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by the California Electrical Code, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories and, where applicable, rules of the Public Utilities Commission regarding safety and reliability.
C. 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.
D. 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.
E. Anchorage of either floor -mounted or wall -mounted electric vehicle charging stations shall meet the requirements of the California Building Code or California Residential Code, as applicable per occupancy, and the provisions of the manufacturer' sinstallation instructions. Mounting of charging stations shall not adversely affect building elements.
F. 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.
G. The electric vehicle charging requirements set forth herein are intended to reflect the electric vehicle charging requirements set forth in the most current California Building Standards Code, Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations. State Law shall govern in the event of any inconsistency relating to electric vehicle charging requirements between the most current California Building Standards Code and this Chapter.
Ord. 25- § j
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