San Marcos, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)

10 of the San Marcos Municipal Code, adopted by Ordinance No. 2023-1529, creates a separate expedited review lane for electric vehicle charging stations so installations move faster than a standard discretionary permit. 030 requires the Building Safety Division to post all required application documents on the City's website, accept electronic submittal and electronic signatures from applicants, engineers, architects, and contractors, and publish a compliance checklist. 040, the applicant must first verify the charging station meets the California Electrical Code's Article 625, along with SAE and NEMA standards and independent testing agency listing such as Underwriters Laboratories, plus any applicable Public Utilities Commission safety and reliability rules.

Applications may be filed in person, by mail, or electronically. An application that satisfies the checklist is deemed complete; an incomplete one draws a written correction notice from the Building Official listing every deficiency. Review is limited strictly to health-and-safety compliance with local, state and federal law, not aesthetics, and any conditions the City imposes must be the lowest-cost way to mitigate a genuine safety impact. Only if the Building Official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the installation would have a specific, adverse impact on public health or safety can the City require a full use permit instead of administrative approval. 040(f) directs the City to reduce the required parking count to accommodate it. 045, whose ruling on an EV charging station appeal is final.