Santa Rosa, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)

020 as any level of electric vehicle supply equipment built to comply with Article 625 of the California Electrical Code that delivers electricity from an outside source into a plug-in electric vehicle. 040 requires every charging station to meet state and City health and safety standards, and to meet the safety and performance standards set by the California Electrical Code, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories, plus applicable Public Utilities Commission rules on safety and reliability.

060 requires the applicant, at their own cost, to verify using standard electrical inspection techniques that the existing wiring, grounding, bonding, and panel and subpanel sizing can carry the new charging station load. Review is limited to confirming completeness and checklist compliance; a complete application must be approved or rejected within three business days, and any resubmittal after a correction notice restarts that same three-day clock, with additional plan review fees possible. Installations in place before the chapter's effective date are grandfathered unless physically modified in a way that changes size, type, or components enough to require new permitting; routine operation and maintenance never triggers a permit.

If the Building Official finds a specific adverse impact on public health or safety, the applicant can be routed to a Minor Use Permit instead.