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
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.
- 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.
- The 2024 Climate Action Plan commits the County to amend its Code of Regulatory Ordinances by 2026 to require Tier 2 CALGreen, or similar requirements relative to 2022 CALGreen, which would increase EV charging infrastructure and preferential ZEV parking in new multi-family residential and nonresidential construction beyond the State minimum mandates. During 2024, staff began investigating how these CAP commitments can be met through the State’s triennial code update (2025 CALGreen) or future requirements in the County Building Code by 2026.
Climate Action Links