Electric Vehicle Roadmap - Goal 4

Incentivize and/or require electric vehicle charging infrastructure in new and existing private multi-family residential and/or non-residential development

Targeted Outcome

Increase electric vehicle (EV) charging station installations in new and existing private development.

Overview

EV parking

Regional research demonstrates a charging infrastructure shortage in both multi-family and non-residential properties.  Factors that deter charging station installation include parking space limitations, difficulties in meeting minimum parking requirements when accessible charging infrastructure is installed, and the cost of charging equipment.

The County is evaluating multiple options to encourage and/or require the installation of charging infrastructure in multi-family and commercial properties, including implementing shared parking facilities and evaluating options for Building Code amendments to require new construction and incentivize retrofits to install EV charging infrastructure.

Accomplishments

  • Recognized by the State as one of the first jurisdictions in the region to have a streamlined EV charger permitting process consistent with Assembly Bill 1236 (2015). Since the start of the streamlined permitting process, the County has approved over 700 EV charging stations in private residential homes and commercial developments, with 389 of those permits granted in 2023 alone.
  • Recognized by the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) and San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) as a “Permitting Best Practice” and as a model across the state. County staff have presented at the local, regional, state, and national level to share information on the County’s EV streamlined permitting process.
  • The County’s Renewable Energy Fee Waiver Pilot Program (Item #5) waived permitting fees for residential EV charging stations and electric panel upgrades to incentivize EV charger installations in residential development from January 2021 until November 2021. The pilot program is presently under evaluation, along with other potential actions to help promote renewable energy adoption, and results of the evaluation including recommended next steps for the program are expected in 2024.
  • On February 8, 2023 (Item #2), the Board adopted updates to the County Building Code to align with 2022 State Model Code updates including new rules specifically addressing EV charging infrastructure in non-residential and multi-family developments.