Altadena is an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, so EV charger installations are permitted by LA County Public Works Building & Safety Division at the East LA District Office. New one- and two-unit single-family homes must be EV-Capable with conduit and panel space for a Level 2 charger under the 2022 California Building Standards Code (CBSC) and CalGreen §4.106.4. EVSE installations rated under 400 amps do not require an electrical plan check and may be permitted over-the-counter or through EPIC-LA, the County's online permit portal.
California Building Standards Code §4.106.4.1 (CalGreen residential mandatory) requires every new one- and two-family detached dwelling to be 'EV-Capable' — an electrical raceway extending from the main panel to a future EV charger location with adequate panel capacity (40-amp circuit minimum). New multifamily buildings with 17+ units must have 10% Level 2 EV-Ready spaces. In Altadena, LA County Public Works enforces these standards under LA County Building Code Title 26 as amended in LACC §26.18. Retrofit EVSE installation at an existing home requires an electrical permit issued by LA County Public Works Building & Safety — but EVSE rated under 400 amps does not require electrical plan check and qualifies for over-the-counter permitting at the East LA Building & Safety District Office or through EPIC-LA online. California AB 1236 and AB 970 require expedited streamlined permitting for residential EVSE — most installs are approved within 1-5 business days. Permits trigger a final inspection by an LA County inspector before the EVSE can be energized.
Installing an EV charger without an LA County electrical permit violates LACC §26.18 and the California Electrical Code. Penalties include after-the-fact permit fees (double the standard fee under LACC §26.18.105), and operating an unpermitted 240V hardwired installation is a misdemeanor under LACC §26.99.080 carrying fines up to $1,000 per day. CalGreen non-compliance in new construction can prevent occupancy and require redesign.
Altadena, CA
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Altadena, CA
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