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Twentynine Palms planning commission studies rules for electric vehicle charging stations
Summary
City staff told the Planning Commission that state law and an Attorney General opinion limit local land‑use control over EV charging stations; commissioners and residents raised grid‑capacity, permitting and zoning concerns and urged on‑site solar; no formal action was taken.
Twentynine Palms Planning Commission members on Wednesday discussed how the city should treat electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in its development code, after staff said state law and an Attorney General opinion largely preempt local land‑use approvals and leave most review at the building‑permit level.
The discussion matters because commissioners and residents said EV chargers could affect local electric grid capacity, neighborhood land use and the city’s economic appeal to visitors and businesses.
Community Development Director (name not specified) told the commission the city’s municipal code (Chapter 18.09) currently addresses only building and safety requirements and that the development code does not list EV charging stations. "Our development code is silent on it," the director said, adding staff included the state Attorney General memo and an EV checklist in the meeting packet for commissioners to review. The director said state law dating to 2015 prescribes installation of EV chargers in any zoning district subject to issuance of a building permit, which limits local zoning review.
Commissioners asked questions about practical distinctions and enforcement. Commissioner Jim (first name only in the…
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