Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Electric Vehicle Permitting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oakdale council adopts streamlined permitting for electric-vehicle chargers
Summary
The Oakdale City Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance establishing a streamlined, ministerial permitting process for electric-vehicle charging stations that implements state deadlines and online submittal requirements.
The Oakdale City Council voted 5-0 to introduce and adopt an ordinance creating a streamlined permitting process for electric-vehicle charging stations across the city.
City Manager Jerry presented the ordinance as an amendment to Chapter 7 of the Oakdale Municipal Code to add a new Section 14 establishing administrative procedures for electric vehicle charging station permitting. Jerry said the change is intended to bring Oakdale into compliance with state law and to provide an online checklist, electronic permit submission and signatures, and clear timelines for approval.
The ordinance is intended to implement state requirements set out in AB 1236 (2015) and AB 970 (2021) and related Government Code provisions. Jerry told the council that the streamlined process is limited to health-and-safety reviews, described as “ministerial” under state law, and that the code would provide for “automatic approval if deadlines are not met” by staff. The proposed code changes also require a single consolidated deficiency notice, adjust parking requirements for EV charging stations, and require public posting of checklists and timelines on the city website.
Council members asked whether the streamlined process applies only to commercial projects or also to residential installations. Jerry confirmed the process covers residential installations as well and explained that projects must still meet local zoning rules: a private homeowner seeking to install chargers would use the streamlined permit but could not locate a commercial charging center on land not zoned for that use.
Fiscal effects were described as minimal: staff said the primary costs are website updates and administrative implementation rather than large capital expenses. After discussion, a council member moved to approve the ordinance and a second was recorded; the roll-call vote recorded Mayor Pro Tem Smith, Council members Gilbert, Patasse, and Kettering, and Mayor Barrios as voting yes. The motion passed 5-0.
The ordinance will be added to the Oakdale Municipal Code and the administrative procedures published online. Staff said it will post checklists and timelines and train permitting staff to accept electronic submissions and signatures.
