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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Permitting Processes for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

Existing permitting processes should be examined to determine if they create barriers for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure development. Several states, municipalities, and utilities provide guides to streamline the permitting process for EV charging station installation to help overcome any barriers identified. For strategies local and state governments can use to streamline EV charging station approvals see the fact sheet, Improving Permitting and Zoning for EV Fast Charging Stations, developed by the Northeast State for Coordinate Air Use Management (NESCAUM).

Below are a few examples and additional resources.

California

California required cities and counties to adopt ordinances to expedite and streamline the permitting process for EV charging station installation. To facilitate this, the state developed resources on permitting best practices, including example ordinance language and checklists, as well as an EV Charging Station Permitting Guidebook.

Key requirements mandated by California include:

  • Adopting ordinance language that expedites and streamlines the permitting process for EV charging stations, including Level 2 and DC fast charging
  • Creating a checklist of requirements needed for expedited review that is available and easily found on the city or county website
  • Allowing administrative approval of EV charging stations that meet the checklist requirements
  • Limiting the permit approval to health and safety review requirements
  • Accepting electronic signatures
  • Making EV charging stations not subject to approval of an association (note: California adopted right-to-charge law)
  • Providing one complete deficiency notice that notes all deficiencies and any additional information needed to be eligible for expedited permit issuance
  • Establishing permit review and approval timelines for authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs):
    • 1-25 stations: AHJs have 5 business days to deem an application complete or incomplete. Once complete, AHJs have 20 days to issue an approval to build.
    • 25+ stations: AHJs have 10 business days to deem an application complete or incomplete. Once complete, AHJs have 40 days to issue an approval to build.

New Jersey

New Jersey has a Best Management Practice Guide to encourage EV charging station installation and make-ready spaces. This guide recommends:

  • Standardizing the permit review process and making it transparent
  • Adopting an online permitting process
  • Developing application checklists
  • Providing clear information on the inspection requirements
  • Noting that review and approval from multiple departments may be needed depending on location.

New York

New York developed the DC Fast Charger Streamlined Permitting Guidebook for Local Governments, which includes best practices to streamline the permit approval process for DC fast chargers. Key recommendations from this guide include:

  • Making the entire process available online
  • Allowing plans to be approved as noted
  • Managing expectations with sample timelines.

Best Practices

Best practices to streamline the permitting process for EV charging station installations include:

Create a standardized and transparent permit review process

  • Create a checklist of all requirements needed for expedited review
  • Expedite approval and manage expectations by providing sample timelines or setting a timeline for all permit approvals related to EV charging stations.

Simplify the review and approval process

  • Allow concurrent review if multiple departments need to review
  • Provide a complete deficiency notice that summarizes all additional information needed for approval
  • Allow plans to be approved as noted.

Adopt an online permitting process

  • Accept electronic submittals and signatures
  • Make permitting checklist available online and easy to find
  • Post review timeline estimates online.