Shasta County Municipal Code Ch. 16.14 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

This chapter is adopted in accordance with the mandate and provisions of California Government Code (GC) Sections 65850.7 and 65850.71 as those sections may be amended from time to time.

(Ord. No. 2026-02, § 1, 3-24-2026)

The purpose of this chapter is to implement the provisions of GC Sections 65850.7 and 65850.71 as those sections may be amended from time to time and which at the time of adoption of this chapter provides that the county shall administratively approve an application to install electric vehicle charging stations through the issuance of a building permit or similar nondiscretionary permit, except as otherwise provided in accordance with the provisions of said section described herein.

(Ord. No. 2026-02, § 1, 3-24-2026)

The provisions of this chapter are applicable in accordance with SCC Section 16.04.010. The effective term of this chapter and its repeal shall be consistent with the term and repeal of GC Section 65850.7 as set forth in GC Section 65850.7(j) as that section may be amended from time to time. At the time of adoption of this chapter, GC Section 65850.7(j) provides that GC Section 65850.7 shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030.

(Ord. No. 2026-02, § 1, 3-24-2026)

The following terms as used in this chapter have the meanings indicated, unless the context in which a term is used requires another meaning:

"Application" means a building permit application for an electric vehicle charging station.

"Complete" means an application that has been determined to include all required items specified in the electric vehicle charging station permit application checklist adopted by the Shasta County building official.

"Electric vehicle charging station" or "charging station" has the meaning set forth in GC Section 65850.7(i)(3) as that section may be amended from time to time. At the time of adoption of this chapter, GC Section 65850.7(i)(3) provides that 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 Electrical Code, as it reads on the effective date of GC Section 65850.7, and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.

"Electronic submittal" has the meaning set forth in GC Section 65850.7(i)(2) as that section may be amended from time to time. At the time of adoption of this chapter, GC Section 65850.7(i)(2) provides that electronic submittal means the utilization of one or more of the following:

1. E-mail.

2. The internet.

3. Facsimile.

"Feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact" has the meaning set forth in GC Section 65850.7(i)(1) as that section may be amended from time to time. At the time of adoption of this chapter, GC Section 65850.7(i)(1) provides that feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact includes, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition or mitigation imposed by the [county] on another similarly situated application in a prior successful application for a similar permit.

"Permit" means a building permit issued by the Shasta County building official (building official) authorizing the construction, installation, and/or erection of an electric vehicle charging station.

"Specific, adverse impact" has the meaning set forth in GC Section 65850.7(i)(5) as that section may be amended from time to time. At the time of adoption of this chapter, GC Section 65850.7(i)(5) provides that 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.

(Ord. No. 2026-02, § 1, 3-24-2026)

The building official is hereby authorized and directed to develop and adopt a checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations comply to be eligible for an expedited, streamlined permitting review process. The expedited, streamlined permitting process and checklist shall substantially conform to the plug-in electric vehicle infrastructure permitting checklist contained in the zero-emission vehicles in California: Community Readiness Guidebook adopted by the governor's office of planning and research. The county's adopted checklist and all other documents required for submission of an electric vehicle charging station application shall be published on the county's website.

(Ord. No. 2026-02, § 1, 3-24-2026)

A. Electric vehicle charging station application. An electric vehicle charging station application that contains the information requirements shall be promptly processed and reviewed to determine whether the application is complete.

1. For an application proposing an electric vehicle charging station with the capacity to simultaneously charge up to twenty-five vehicles, the building official shall review the application for completeness within five working days. If said application is deemed incomplete, a written application correction notice will be made available to the applicant immediately via e-mail.

2. For an application proposing an electric vehicle charging station with the capacity to simultaneously charge twenty-six or more vehicles, the building official shall review the application for completeness within ten working days. If said application is deemed incomplete, a written application correction notice will be made available to the applicant immediately via e-mail.

3. In each case, all deficiencies in the application shall be detailed and any additional information or documentation explicitly necessary for the building official to complete a limited review as to whether the electric vehicle charging station meets all health and safety requirements of local, state, and federal law, including but not limited to non-conformance with applicable local development standards, shall be indicated in the written application correction notice sent via e-mail.

4. The first resubmission shall be reviewed within three business days. If the first resubmitted application remains incomplete, all remaining unsatisfied deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation indicated to be necessary in the first written application correction notice shall be provided to the applicant via e-mail and the applicant shall be thereby notified that the second resubmission and any subsequent resubmission(s) is not eligible for expedited review and approval so as to ensure that applications that are complete at submittal or resubmission are prioritized for expedited review and approval.

5. An application that, as submitted or resubmitted, satisfies the information requirements specified in the county's adopted electric vehicle charging station checklist and any additional information or documentation indicated to be necessary in the first written application correction notice shall be deemed complete. Upon deeming the application complete the building official shall, within twenty business days for an applications proposing an electric vehicle charging station with the capacity to simultaneously charge up to twenty-five vehicles or within forty business days for applications proposing an electric vehicle charging station with the capacity to simultaneously charge twenty-six or more vehicles, cause a permit to be approved and issued in accordance with Sections 16.14.070 and 16.14.080 of this chapter.

6. Electronic submittal. Electric vehicle charging station permit applications and associated documentation may be submitted to the Shasta County building division in accordance with the building division's standard practices and procedures for building permits.

(Ord. No. 2026-02, § 1, 3-24-2026)

A. Application review for the proposed installation of an electric vehicle charging station shall be limited to the building official's review of whether it satisfies the information requirements specified in the county's adopted electric vehicle charging station checklist and meets all health and safety requirements of local, state, and federal law, including but not limited to the electric vehicle charging station permit requirements specified in SCC Section 16.14.080.

B. The building official shall not condition the approval of any electric vehicle charging station on the approval of such a system by an association, as that term is defined by California Civil Code (CC) Section 4080 as may be amended from time to time. At the time of adoption of this CC Section 4080 means a nonprofit corporation or unincorporated association created for the purpose of managing a common interest development.

C. The requirements of local law shall be limited to those standards and regulations necessary to ensure that the electric vehicle charging station will not have a specific, adverse impact, including but not limited to non-conformance with applicable local development standards.

D. Notwithstanding any other finding that the proposed electric vehicle charging station could have a specific, adverse impact; if the building official finds that the application does not meet all health and safety requirements of local, state, and federal law, including but not limited to the electric vehicle charging station permit requirements specified in SCC Section 16.14.080, the building official shall determine that the application could have a significant adverse impact. Any finding by the building official that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific, adverse impact shall be based on substantial evidence.

E. If the building official finds that the proposed electric vehicle charging station could have specific adverse impact, they shall cause a plan check letter to be issued to the applicant via e-mail and certified mail detailing the basis and substantial evidence in support of said finding and, in accordance with Section 16.14.070.F of this chapter, provide a determination on the status of the application.

F. If the building official makes a finding, based on substantial evidence, that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific, adverse impact, the building official may impose and/or allow for the applicant to propose feasible method(s) to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact so as to allow for approval of the application and issuance of a permit, or require approval of a use permit prior to approval of the application and issuance of a permit. The finding that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific, adverse impact or requirement of a use permit may be appealed in accordance with SCC Section 17.90.030.

G. If the applicant does not appeal the building official's finding that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific, adverse impact and has not required approval of a use permit prior to approval of the application and issuance of a permit, the applicable time frame for approval of the application and issuance of a permit described in Section 16.14.060.A.5 shall be extended by the number of business days that are required for the applicant to respond in writing to agree to imposed and/or to provide applicant proposed feasible method(s) to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact for review and approval by the building official. Revisions to the application that are determined to demonstrate conformance with applicable requirements Section 16.14.080 of this chapter shall be deemed feasible method(s) to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact(s) for which non-conformance with said requirements was provided as the basis and substantial evidence of a specific adverse impact.

H. If the building official requires a use permit and the applicant does not file a timely appeal in accordance with SCC Section 16.14.070.F, the applicant shall apply for a use permit in accordance with SCC Section 17.92.020.

I. For any application where the applicant fails to file a timely appeal of any finding or requirement made in accordance with Section 16.14.070.F of this chapter and/or, as applicable, accept imposed and/or propose feasible method(s) to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact accept, or to file a use permit with the time frame for approval of the application and issuance of a permit described in Section 16.14.060.A.5, the building official may deny the application or the application shall otherwise expire in accordance with the California Building Code.

J. The building official may not deny an application to install an electric vehicle charging station unless they make written findings based upon substantial evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. The findings shall include the basis for the rejection of potential feasible alternatives for preventing the adverse impact. An applicant may appeal the building official's denial of the application to the planning in accordance with SCC Section 17.90.030.

K. The planning commission may not deny a use permit application to install an electric vehicle charging station unless it makes written findings based upon substantial evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. The findings shall include the basis for the rejection of potential feasible alternatives for preventing the adverse impact. Any interested person may appeal a decision of the planning commission to approve, conditionally approve or deny an application for a use permit, or to amend or add conditions, or to revoke use permit by filing a notice of appeal in accordance with SCC Section 17.90.030.

(Ord. No. 2026-02, § 1, 3-24-2026)

A. Electric vehicle charging stations shall meet all of the following, as applicable:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Rules of the California Public Utilities Commission regarding safety and reliability.

6. Rules of the California Department of Food and Agriculture regarding safety, reliability, weights, and measures.

(Ord. No. 2026-02, § 1, 3-24-2026)

A. Upon confirmation by the building official that the application is complete, the building official shall administratively approve the application in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, notify the applicant of approval, and issue all required permits upon payment of any applicable permit fees. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to energize or utilize the electric vehicle charging station until final approval of the applicable field inspections have been granted by the building official.

B. Any application which has been determined complete in accordance with Section 16.14.060 of this chapter and has not been approved and issued within the time frame described in Section 16.14.060.A.5, inclusive of an additional time in accordance with Section 16.14.070.H of this chapter, shall be deemed approved and the building official shall cause the permit to be issued subject to all applicable fees and inspections and provided all of the following have occurred.

1. The building official has not denied the permit.

2. The building official has not made a finding, based on substantial evidence, that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific adverse impact upon the public health or safety or required the applicant to apply for a use permit on that basis.

3. The applicant has not filed an appeal of the building official's decision to deny the permit, or the building official's finding that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific adverse impact upon the public health or safety and/or requirement to apply for a use permit.

C. If a use permit is required, the permit shall not be issued prior to approval of said use permit and confirmation that the application is in conformance with the conditions of approval of the use permit, including that the application be determined complete and approved in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2026-02, § 1, 3-24-2026)