CITY OF
TEHACHAPI
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
1 ORDINANCE NO. _____
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF TEHACHAPI ADDING A NEW
CHAPTER 15.24 “ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM PERMIT
EXPEDITING” TO TITLE 15 “BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION” OF
THE TEHACHAPI MUNICIPAL CODE TO SET FORTH PROCEDURES
FOR EXPEDITING PERMIT PROCESSING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE
CHARGING SYSTEMS AND MAKING A FINDING OF EXEMPTION
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
WHEREAS, the State of California and the City of Tehachapi have consistently promoted and encouraged the use of fuel-efficient electric vehicles; WHEREAS, in 2015 the State of California adopted Assembly Bill 1236, which requires local agencies to adopt an ordinance providing an expedited and streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging systems;
WHEREAS, 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEHACHAPI DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein.
Section 2. Electric vehicle charging system permit expediting. Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) of the Tehachapi Municipal Code is hereby amended by adding a new Chapter
15.24 to read as follows:
“Chapter 15.24 - ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM PERMIT EXPEDITING
15.24.010 – Applicability.
15.24.020 – Definitions.
15.24.030 – Expedited Permit Processing.
15.24.040 – Permit Application Processing.
15.24.050 – Technical Review.
15.24.060 – Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installation Requirements.
15.24.010 – Applicability.
This Chapter applies to applications for expedited building permits for electric vehicle charging stations consistent with California Government Code section 65850.7.
CITY OF
TEHACHAPI
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
2 15.24.020 – Definitions.
“Electric vehicle charging station” or “charging station” means any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station that is designed and built in compliance with Article 625 of the California Electric Code, as it read on January 1, 2026, and delivers electricity from a source outside of an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle. “Electronic submittal” means a submittal of an application utilizing email, the internet, and/or facsimile transmission.
“Specific, adverse impact” means 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.
15.24.030 – Expedited Permit Processing.
Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the Building Official shall implement an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations, and adopt a checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply with in order to be eligible for expedited review. The expedited, streamlined permitting process and checklist may refer to the recommendations contained in the most 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’s Office of Planning and Research. The City’s adopted checklist and any other documents required by the Building Official shall be published on the City’s website.
15.24.040 – Permit Application Processing.
A. Prior to submitting an application for processing, the applicant shall verify that the installation of an electric vehicle charging station will not have specific, adverse impact to public health and safety and building occupants. Verification by the applicant includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of: electrical system capacity and loads; electrical system wiring, bonding and overcurrent protection; building infrastructure affected by charging station equipment and associated conduits; and areas of charging station equipment and vehicle parking.
B. A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the City’s adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed. Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the permit application and supporting documents meets the requirements of the City’s adopted checklist and is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the Building Official shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, approve the application and issue all necessary permits. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to energize or utilize the electric vehicle charging station until approval is granted by the Building Official. If the Building Official determines that the permit application is incomplete, he or she shall issue a written correction notice to the applicant, detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.
CITY OF
TEHACHAPI
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
3 C. Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this Chapter and associated supporting documentation. In accepting such permit applications, the Building Official shall also accept electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by any applicant.
15.24.050 – Technical Review.
A. It is the intent of this Chapter to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations by removing obstacles to permitting for charging stations so long as the action does not supersede the Building Official’s authority to address higher priority life-safety situations. If the Building Official makes a finding based on substantial evidence that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific adverse impact upon the public health or safety, as defined in this Chapter, the City may require the applicant to apply for an electric vehicle charging station use permit in order to install the proposed charging station.
B. An application for an electric vehicle charging station use permit shall be reviewed by the Building Official. The Building Official shall not deny such an application without making written findings, based upon substantial evidence in the record, that the proposed charging station would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety which could not feasibly be satisfactorily mitigated or avoided. The written findings required for rejection of an electric vehicle charging station use permit application shall include the Building Official’s basis for rejecting any potentially feasible alternatives that could mitigate or prevent the alleged adverse impact. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65850.7, the Building Official’s review shall be limited to health and safety issues. Aesthetic concerns, or other items not related to public health or safety shall not be considered.
C. In the technical review of a charging station, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the Building Official shall not condition the approval for any electric vehicle charging station permit on the approval of such a system by an association, as that term is defined by Civil Code Section 4080. Any condition imposed on an application for an expedited building permit or electric vehicle charging station use permit shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost.
D. A decision of the Building Official made pursuant to Sections 15.24.040 or 15.24.050 may be appealed to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission’s review shall be subject to the same limitations as that of the Building Official, and only health and safety issues may be considered.
15.24.060 – Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installation Requirements.
A. Electric vehicle charging station equipment shall meet the requirements of the California Electrical Code, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories, and rules of the Public Utilities Commission or a Municipal Electric Utility Company regarding safety and reliability, or rules of the Department of Food and Agriculture regarding safety, reliability, weights, and
CITY OF
TEHACHAPI
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
4 measures.
B. 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.
C. 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. Electric vehicle charging equipment shall be considered a continuous load.
D. Anchorage of either floor-mounted or wall-mounted electric vehicle charging stations shall meet the requirements of the California Building or Residential Code as applicable per occupancy, and the provisions of the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Mounting of charging stations shall not adversely affect building elements.”
Section 3. CEQA. The City Council finds and determines that this Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the General Rule (14 C.C.R. Section 15061(b)(3)) because the project involves updates and revisions to existing administrative building permit regulations consistent with California law, specifically Government Code section 65850.7. It can be seen with certainty that the Municipal Code text amendments adopted herein will have no significant effect on the environment. Additionally, the adoption of this Ordinance is categorically exempt from further environmental review as a regulatory action taken to protect natural resources and the environment in support of state and local climate action goals pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, 14 C.C.R., Sections 15307 and 15308.
Section 4. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of any competent jurisdiction, 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 and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of the Ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
Section 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect 30 days after the date of its adoption. The City Clerk is directed to cause this Ordinance to be published and/or posted as required by law.
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tehachapi, California on the ____ day of _______________, 2026.
CITY OF
TEHACHAPI
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
5 PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Tehachapi at a regular meeting held on the_______ day of________________, 2026.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
JOAN POGON-CORD, Mayor, City of
Tehachapi, California
ATTEST:
TORI MARSH, CMC
City Clerk of the City of Tehachapi, California