City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: Ken Zuidervaart, Planning Director
Date: 11/10/2025
Subject: Zoning Text Amendment TAZ25-126 - Electric Vehicle Charging Stations RECOMMENDED ACTION:
“That the City Council open the public hearing on the proposed draft ordinance creating Chapter
16.218 - Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Ordinance, and receive any public testimony.” PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW:
The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on this matter and reviewed the draft ordinance. No members of the public wished to speak on the item. The Commission expressed support for the draft ordinance as presented and, following discussion voted to recommend that the City Council adopt the ordinance as drafted, finding it to be consistent with State law.
BACKGROUND:
Over the past several years, the State of California has adopted legislation requiring local jurisdictions to streamline the permitting process for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations in accordance with Government Code Sections 65850.7 and 65850.71. These laws are intended to accelerate the availability of EV infrastructure statewide by requiring cities to adopt an ordinance providing for ministerial review and expedited approval of qualifying EV charging station applications.
Currently, the City of Ripon processes EV charging station installations, particularly those proposed for commercial or public parking areas, through either the Minor or Major Site Plan Review process, depending on the project’s size, location, and associated improvements. While this approach ensures thoughtful site design, traffic safety, and aesthetic compatibility, it does not meet the new State-mandated requirement for ministerial (non-discretionary) review of most EV charging station applications.
Therefore, the City must now adopt a stand-alone Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Ordinance to comply with State law. Staff has taken care in drafting this ordinance to balance the State’s requirements for streamlining with the City’s long-standing commitment to preserving Ripon’s small-town character, public safety, and high quality of life.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Staff reviewed Government Code Sections 65850.7 and 65850.71, as well as ordinances adopted by other California cities to develop a model approach that achieves State compliance while retaining as much local oversight as possible.
The proposed Chapter 16.218 - Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Ordinance will establish a clear, efficient, and State-compliant process for the review and approval of EV charging stations within the City.
Key provisions include the following:
1. Purpose and Intent:
Establishes that the purpose of this chapter is to comply with State law (Gov. Code §65850.7 and §65850.71) by providing an expedited, streamlined permitting process for EV charging stations, while ensuring public health, safety, and welfare through reasonable standards and review procedures.
2. Applicability:
Applies to all new EV charging station installations, whether in residential, commercial, industrial, or public settings within City limits. It also applies to EV charging stations combined with energy storage systems as defined in Government Code Section 65850.71.
3. Permit Streamlining Requirements:
o Qualifying EV charging station applications must be processed through a ministerial (non-discretionary) review process.
o Applications meeting the City’s adopted EV Charging Station Checklist and all applicable building, fire, and electrical codes must be approved without a public hearing.
o The Building Official will conduct the ministerial review and issue permits within statutory timelines.
4. Local Oversight and Quality of Life Considerations:
While the City is preempted by State law from imposing discretionary design review on qualifying EV charging stations, staff has included provisions that continue to safeguard Ripon’s community standards to the greatest extent allowed, including:
o Requiring installations to comply with all applicable safety, visibility, and access standards, including traffic circulation and pedestrian safety. o Ensuring compliance with the California Building Code, Fire Code, and ADA accessibility requirements.
o Maintaining existing City authority to review site design or screening measures for non-qualifying projects that exceed the scope of State mandates.
5. Administrative Process:
o The City will publish a checklist and submittal requirements on its website. o Incomplete applications will be returned with written correction notices identifying specific deficiencies.
o Applicants may appeal denials or conditions of approval in accordance with the procedures set forth in Ripon Municipal Code Section 16.08.060 (Appeals).
6. Transition from Current Practice:
With adoption of Chapter 16.218, EV charging stations that meet the State’s eligibility criteria will no longer require Minor or Major Site Plan Review. However, larger projects involving substantial site improvements, new parking configurations, or installations that do not qualify as “ministerial” under State law will continue to be subject to discretionary review to ensure design consistency and neighborhood compatibility.
FINDINGS:
1. The proposed Zoning Text Amendment is consistent with the City of Ripon General Plan, particularly its goals promoting sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship.
2. The amendment is required by State law under Government Code Sections 65850.7 and 65850.71, which mandate that local agencies adopt an expedited, ministerial review process for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and those combined with Energy Storage Systems.
3. The ordinance has been carefully drafted to meet State requirements while preserving Ripon’s quality of life through continued enforcement of health, safety, and aesthetic standards where permissible.
4. The proposed amendment will not conflict with any adopted plans or regulations of the City of Ripon.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The proposed Zoning Text Amendment is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (“common sense” exemption), as it can be seen with certainty that the adoption of this ordinance will not have a significant effect on the environment.
GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION:
Owner/Applicant: City of Ripon - Ken Zuidervaart
Application#: TAZ 25-126
GP Designation: All Land Use Designations
Zoning: All Zoning Designations
Attachments:
1. Proposed Chapter 16.218 - Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
2. Proposed EV Charging Station Checklist
3. Public Hearing Notice