CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: October 21, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Mary Lanier, Interim Director of Community Development and Housing; George Velarde, Senior Planner
Department: Community Development & Housing
Subject: Adoption of Ordinance No. MC-1674 Setting Forth Procedures for Expediting Permitting Processing for
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Systems (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California; adopt Ordinance No. MC-1674 Setting Forth Procedures for Expediting Permitting Processing for Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Systems (All Wards).
City Manager's Comments
The City Manager recommends approval.
Executive Summary
The State of California adopted Assembly Bill 1236 and Assembly Bill 970, which requires local agencies to adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited and streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging systems, in addition to publishing a checklist of all requirements needed for expedited review. Creation of an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations would facilitate convenient charging of electric vehicles and help reduce the City’s reliance on environmentally damaging fossil fuels.
The City of San Bernardino currently has a checklist of all requirements needed for expedited review of electric charging facilities, which is posted on the department’s website. To be in compliance with State Law, the City of San Bernardino must adopt this ordinance or face potential legal challenges.
Background
AB 1236, codified in Government Code Section 65850.7, requires all California cities and counties to develop an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS). The law was developed to further the availability of charging infrastructure to help drive the development of zero emission vehicles – the faster charging stations are deployed, the sooner California’s air quality improves, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, and local economic benefits are captured.
Pursuant to AB 1236, cities and counties must adopt a streamlined ordinance and checklist. Current city and county streamlining status is reflected on the EVCS Streamlining Map (Attachment 2), and jurisdictions are graded based on the Permitting Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Scorecard, which includes the streamlining requirements of AB 1236.
On this map, the City of San Bernardino is shown in yellow, which indicates that the City has a checklist of all requirements needed for expedited review of electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities, but not an ordinance. Cities with ordinances and checklists are colored green. Some of those cities in the Inland Empire include: Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Rialto, Bloomington, Grand Terrace, Highland, and Redlands. Cities shown in red (City of Upland) are not in compliance and are potentially exposed to a lawsuit by an environmental organization named the Coalition for Clean Air.
AB 970, codified in Government Code Section 65850.71, builds California’s existing permit streamline law, AB 1236. Jurisdictions are required by AB 1236 to limit EVCS 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.
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.
Discussion
Ordinance No. MC-1674, approving Development Code Amendment 26-14 that creates and expedited and streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging systems was reviewed by the Mayor and City Council at their October 7, 2026, meeting.
The Ordinance is now ready for its final reading and adoption. Pursuant to Section
19.42.040 Council Action on Amendments, amendments to the Development Code shall be adopted by ordinance and therefore become effective thirty (30) days after the second reading.
Strategic Goals and Priorities
The adoption of an ordinance setting forth procedures for expediting permitting processing for electric Vehicle Charging Systems (EVCS) aligns with Goal No. 3- Improved Quality of Life. The faster charging stations are deployed, the sooner California’s air quality improves, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, and more local economic benefits are captured. Cleaner air quality in San Bernardino improves the overall health of the residents of San Bernardino and improves their quality of life as well.
Fiscal Impact
There are no fiscal impacts related to the adoption of this ordinance.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California; adopt Ordinance No. MC-1674 Setting Forth Procedures for Expediting Permitting Processing for Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Systems (All Wards).
Attachments
Attachment 1 Ordinance MC-1674
Attachment 2 Ordinance MC-Exhibit A
Attachment 3 EVSC Permit Streamlining Map
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
On October 7, 2026, Ordinance No. MC-1674 was introduced to the Mayor and City Council.