Expediting Permit Processing for
EV Charging Facilities
Presented by:
Gabriel Elliott
Director, Community Development & Housing
Introduction
The State of California recently adopted Assembly
Bill 1235, which requires local agencies to adopt
an ordinance that creates an expedited and
streamlined permitting process for electric
vehicles charging systems .
Creation of an expedited, streamlined
permitting process for vehicle charging
stations would facilitate convenient
charging of electric vehicles and help
reduce the City ‘s reliance on
environmentally damaging fossil fuels.
Introduction
The City of San Bernardino currently has a
checklist of all requirements needed for expedited
review of electrical charging facilities, which is
posted on the department’s website. To be
incompliance with State Law, the City must adopt
an Ordinance or face potential legal challenges.
Creation of an expedited, streamlined
permitting process for vehicle charging
stations would facilitate convenient
charging of electric vehicles and help
reduce the City ‘s reliance on
environmentally damaging fossil fuels.
AB 1236, Codified in Government Code Section 65850.7,
requires all California cities and counties to develop an expedited, streamline permitting process for electric charging stations (EVCS).
Current city and county streamlining status is
reflected on the ECVS Streamlining Map, and
jurisdictions are graded based on the Permitting
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Scorecard, which
included the streamling requirements of AB 1236.
EVCS Permit Streamlining Map
Background
AB 970, codified in Government Code Section
65850.71, builds upon California’s existing permit
streamline law, AB 1236. Jurisdictions are required to AB 1236 to limit EVCS project review to health and
safety requirements. AB 970 adds specific binding
timelines to that review period based on size of the
project and clarifies parking requirements.
To meet AB 970 timelines and requirements of AB
1236, the city is required to provide one complete set
of comments detailing all application deficiencies,
which the applicant should address in a streamlined
and complete manner through modifications to the
existing application.
Permit Application and Parking Requirements
v On September 16, 2020, the City entered into a Professional Services Agreement (Resolution No. 2020-231 – Attachment 3) with PlaceWorks for a comprehensive update to the General Plan, creation of a Downtown Specific Plan, and update to the Development Code. On March 22, 2021, the City signed and accepted the Project Guidance Document prepared by PlaceWorks. At that time, the project schedule was designated for final adoption in Spring 2023.
v On July 21, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-191 – Attachment 5), authorizing the city to accept the Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grant funds in the amount of $500,000.00. To date, the entirety of the grant has been expended and fully reimbursed to the City. As with the SB 2 Grant, reimbursement of the LEAP Grant has been completed and the City is set to complete all funded projects by December 31, 2025.
EVCS Permit Process and Timeline
Fiscal Impact
CONCLUSION
• It is recommended that the Mayor and City
Council of the City of San Bernardino take the
following action:
• 1. Hold a Public Hearing; and
• 2. Introduce and read by title only and waive
further reading of Ordinance No. MC-xxx of
the Mayor and City Council of the City of San
Bernardino, California, establishing
procedures for expediting permit processing
for electric vehicle charging stations.
Phase I – Surplus Land Declarations
Discussion (Cont.)
• The services, which may be funded with proceeds of the special tax include:
• All costs attributable to Maintenance of median landscaping and other public improvements installed within the public rights-of-way
• Public lighting including street lights and traffic signals, • Maintenance of streets, including pavement management, and street sweeping, • Maintenance and operation of water quality improvements including storm drainage and flood protection facilities
• In addition to the costs of the forgoing services, proceeds of the special tax may be expended to pay administrative expenses and for the collection of reserve funds.
Questions?