EV Charging Station Permitting Guidebook

A practical overview of California’s streamlined permitting framework for electric vehicle charging stations.

Why EV charging station permitting matters

As demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure continues to grow across California, cities, counties, developers, and utilities face increasing pressure to deploy chargers quickly, safely, and consistently.

Permitting is a critical step in this process. Complex or inconsistent permitting requirements can delay installations, increase costs, and slow progress toward statewide climate and air quality goals.

The Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permitting Guidebook

To support faster and more transparent EV charging deployment, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) developed the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permitting Guidebook.

The guidebook was created with input from the California Energy Commission, the Center for Sustainable Energy, and a broad group of public and private stakeholders. Its purpose is to provide a clear, consistent roadmap for EV charging station permitting across California.

Key focus areas of the guidebook

• EV charging station planning and site design
• Permitting process transparency and consistency
• Accessibility and ADA considerations
• Electrical and grid connection standards
• Coordination between local jurisdictions and utilities

Supporting faster and more predictable installations

The recommendations in the guidebook are designed to help jurisdictions:

• Standardize EV charging station permit requirements
• Reduce unnecessary review steps and documentation
• Shorten permit approval timelines
• Improve communication with applicants and installers

For developers and site hosts, these improvements translate into lower permitting risk, clearer expectations, and faster project delivery.

Streamlining Permit Processing for EV Charging Stations

To help local governments and industry stakeholders apply the guidebook in practice, a dedicated workshop titled “Streamlining Permit Processing for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS)” was hosted by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) in collaboration with CALeVIP.

The workshop provides an overview of:

• EVCS permitting tools and resources available to local jurisdictions
• Best practices for complying with California EV permitting laws
• Steps to reduce review times and inspection delays
• Coordination strategies between planning, building, and utility departments

The EVCS Permitting Streamlining Map

The EVCS Permitting Streamlining Map tracks progress toward statewide adoption of streamlined permitting practices.

The map highlights cities and counties that have implemented recommended processes and achieved a “green” status.

Why “green” status matters

• Signals a clear and efficient permitting pathway for EV charging projects
• Encourages private investment in EV charging infrastructure
• Helps residents and businesses prepare for CALeVIP incentives and rebates

For developers and charging station operators, locating projects in jurisdictions with green status can significantly reduce permitting uncertainty.

Accessing training materials and resources

In addition to the workshop recording, supporting materials are available to help local agencies and project developers implement best practices.

• Presentation slides from the EVCS permitting workshop
• Sample permitting checklists and application workflows
• Guidance on aligning local processes with state requirements

These resources provide practical, actionable guidance for improving EV charging station permitting outcomes.

Key takeaway: The EV Charging Station Permitting Guidebook is a foundational tool for accelerating EV infrastructure deployment in California. By aligning planning, permitting, accessibility, and grid interconnection standards, it helps jurisdictions, developers, and utilities work together to meet the state’s transportation electrification goals.