Porterville, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)

Article VII of Chapter 7 (Sections 7-52 through 7-60) implements California Government Code Section 65850.7's mandate for expedited local review of electric vehicle charging systems (EVCS). The Building Official must publish an EVCS checklist on the City's website and process any application that satisfies it as complete, then approve it and issue the necessary permits; incomplete applications get a written correction notice listing every deficiency. Electronic submittals, including electronic signatures, must be accepted for all EVCS paperwork. Under Section 7-57, the Building Official cannot condition permit approval on approval by a homeowners' association as defined in Civil Code Section 4080.

Review is administrative and nondiscretionary, limited to health and safety standards and the building code; the Building Official may only require a discretionary use permit where substantial evidence shows the installation would cause a specific, adverse impact, a term the code defines as a significant, quantifiable, direct and unavoidable impact tied to written public health or safety standards. Only one inspection is required where feasible, though additional inspections can follow if deficiencies turn up or related work is involved under other codes. Approval of the permit itself does not authorize energizing or using the charging station; that requires passing the City's required inspections first.

The article was adopted by Ordinance 1932 on May 5, 2026, replacing informal review with this formal expedited track for both residential and commercial EVCS installations citywide.