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Council introduces ordinance to codify streamlined EV charger permitting under AB 1236 and AB 970
Summary
The council voted unanimously Oct. 7 to waive first reading and introduce an ordinance aligning the municipal code with state laws (AB 1236, AB 970) to create an expedited, ministerial permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations; staff said the city has processed roughly 46 public-access chargers and about 112 private-access chargers.
The East Palo Alto City Council on Oct. 7 voted to waive first reading and introduce an ordinance amending Title 15 to codify a streamlined, ministerial permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations required by state law.
Senior Planner Salifu Yakubu told council that AB 1236 requires local agencies to streamline permitting for EV charging and that AB 970 imposes timelines for review and approval. "AB 1236 mandates the local agency streamline the permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations by establishing an expedited streamlined permitting process that is compliant with statewide standards," Salifu said. Staff said the city has processed about 46 publicly accessible chargers and roughly 112 private‑access chargers, including residential installations; they cited 19 residential locations with 26 chargers in some filings.
Under the state framework, staff said residential charging permits that meet criteria must be treated ministerially with shortened review windows (for example, completeness determination within five business days and final action within 20 days once complete for certain residential applications). Amy Chen, Director of Community and Economic Development, said adopting the ordinance will update the municipal and building code to match current practice and state timelines. If council approves the ordinance on second reading, staff will return Oct. 21 for the second and final reading, per the agenda timeline discussed.
A resident urged attention to siting and design of public chargers, calling one location near McDonald’s “ugly” and urging careful placement. The council approved the introduction unanimously; the ordinance is scheduled for a final reading on Oct. 21.
