California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a legal alert to remind local jurisdictions of their obligations under state law to streamline the permitting process for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The alert emphasizes compliance with Assembly Bill 1236 and Assembly Bill 970, which mandate expedited permitting procedures for EV infrastructure. These measures are crucial for achieving California's target of 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035.
Attorney General Bonta stated, "The global fight against climate change requires bold action and system solutions. Deploying electric vehicle charging infrastructure is a step in the right direction, empowering communities to transition to clean energy and reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and in California, we have state laws that do just that." He further emphasized the importance of removing barriers to deployment statewide to improve air quality and mitigate climate impacts.
Key requirements outlined in the legal alert include the ministerial approval of EV charging station permits unless substantial evidence suggests a specific adverse impact on public health or safety. The streamlining laws override local zoning codes and apply regardless of installation type or location. Localities must also adhere to accelerated permitting timelines: applications are considered complete within five or ten business days based on the number of proposed chargers, with final approval required within twenty or forty business days.
Local jurisdictions are required to adopt ordinances that facilitate an expedited permitting process for EV charging stations. To assist localities, resources such as toolkits from California Building Officials and guides from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) are available.
A copy of the legal alert can be accessed online.