Electrical Vehicle (EV) Charging

  • In 2015, the State of California adopted Assembly Bill 1236 (codified as Government Code Section 65850.7), which requires local jurisdictions with a population less than 200,000 residents to adopt an ordinance to create an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations. This streamlined, expedited process allows for electronic submittals of applications, prompt processing of applications, and requires the posting of a permitting checklist1 on the City’s webpage.
  • In order to comply with the specific requirements of AB 1236, the City Council adopted Chapter 6.49 Permit Process for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations of the Richmond Municipal Code.
  • Please note that Commercial & Multifamily EV charging equipment installations must comply with all applicable provisions of the California Building Standards Code. These installations are not specific to electrical work and require the submittal of additional construction documents (see below) that must prepared by a licensed design professional. 
  • Please note that EV charging equipment installations in the City of Richmond Right of Way (ROW) are regulated by the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department.


Construction Documents Required for Permitting Commercial & Multifamily EV Charging Equipment Installations

  • Construction documents shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this code and relevant laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations, as determined by the building official. CBC A107.2.1
  • Provide full-size PDF drawings in scale, stamped, and signed by the design professional to include the following:  
    • Title Sheet to include the following items: 
      • Scope of work for the permit classified by trade.
      • Index of Sheets (Drawings) encompassing all drawings for that permit.
      • Applicable Codes (current California Building Standards Code with the City of Richmond amendments – Section 6.02.030 of RMC) 
      • Leave min. 4”x5” blank space for the Building Department’s stamp
    • Site Plan: Provide a Site Plan, showing the property boundaries and the location of the proposed installation in relation to the existing structures and site features. 
    • Accessibility Plan and Details (for public use chargers or when otherwise required by State or Federal law to be accessible)
    • Foundation drawings and structural connection details
    • Electrical drawings and equipment specifications

Helpful Links

  1. Building Division Permit Application 
  2. EV charging equipment permitting checklist1
  3. Building Division forms and handouts.

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1The EV Charging Permitting Checklist is specific to the electrical installation only. EV charging equipment installed for public use or when otherwise required by State or Federal law to be accessible must submit additional construction documents as noted above.