Santa Cruz County, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)

The Building Official administers a checklist application for EV charging stations, required by state law (Cal. 322. Applicants submit the completed checklist with permit processing and inspection fees to the Community Development and Infrastructure Department. Before applying, the applicant must verify the installation will not have a "specific, adverse impact" on public health, safety, or building occupants, covering electrical capacity and loads, wiring, bonding, overcurrent protection, affected building infrastructure, and the parking area itself. An application is deemed complete if the Building Official issues no correction notice within five business days (1-25 stations at a site) or ten business days (more than 25 stations).

Once complete, and absent an adverse-impact finding, denial, or appeal to the Planning Commission, the application is deemed approved 20 business days later for 1-25 stations, or 40 business days later for larger projects. 365. If the Building Official finds substantial evidence of a specific, adverse impact, the County can instead require an administrative use permit, moving the project out of the streamlined track. Installed equipment must meet the California Electrical Code (including Article 625), standards from the Society of Automotive Engineers, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and accredited testing labs such as Underwriters Laboratories, plus Public Utilities Commission safety rules where applicable.

Charging loads must be built into the electrical service's load calculations and treated as a continuous load, and floor- or wall-mounted anchorage must meet California Building or Residential Code requirements and the manufacturer's installation instructions without adversely affecting building elements.