AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: MATTHEW E. RICHARDSON
CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT:
title
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND TITLE 15 (BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION) TO COMPLY WITH STATE LAW REGARDING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
summary
Summary:
State law requires the City of Signal Hill (“City”) adopt an expedited and streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations to support broader EV deployment goals and publish a checklist of requirements to enable a streamlined review process. Adopting the proposed ordinance and corresponding checklist would satisfy the City’s obligation under State law. On July 14, 2026, the City Council introduced the ordinance, approving the Ordinance to amend Title 15. Staff is now presenting the Ordinance for Second Reading and adoption. The Ordinance would become effective 30 days after the Second Reading.
recommendation
Recommendation:
Adopt the Ordinance entitled:
Ordinance No.2026-07-1560, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 15.14 “ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS” TO TITLE 15 “BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION” OF THE SIGNAL HILL MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO AN EXPEDITED, STREAMLINED PERMITTING PROCESS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS, AND FINDING SAID ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.”
body
Fiscal Impact:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
CEQA Analysis:
The proposed Ordinance is not a "project" pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. Specifically, this Ordinance establishes a streamlined process for electric vehicle charging station permits and authorizes administrative activities which will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Moreover, under Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, this Ordinance is exempt from the requirements of CEQA because it can be seen with certainty that the provisions contained herein would not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
Background/Analysis:
Over the past decade, California has significantly strengthened and expanded its legal framework to accelerate deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Key legislative changes include State laws requiring streamlined, expedited permitting for EV charging stations, most notably Assembly Bill (AB) 1236 and its companion AB 970, which mandate “by-right” administrative approval and strict timelines for local review to reduce barriers to installation. AB 1236 requires every city and county in the State to adopt an expedited and streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations to support broader EV deployment goals. Under AB 1236, local jurisdictions must ministerially approve EV charging station applications through a nondiscretionary permit if the installation meets applicable health and safety standards and may only deny permits by making written findings based on substantial evidence that a specific, adverse health or safety impact cannot be mitigated. The law also obligates jurisdictions to adopt an ordinance (see Attachment A) and publish a checklist of requirements that enables a streamlined review process (see Attachment B). The law limits local review to essential health and safety criteria and standardizes procedures.
AB 970 builds on the State’s earlier EV charging permit streamlining law (AB 1236) by establishing specific deadlines for local jurisdictions to process electric vehicle charging station permit applications and tying automatic approval to jurisdiction inaction. Under AB 970, cities and counties must deem an application complete for projects with 1 to 25 chargers if it does not make a completeness determination within 5 business days (10 days for 26+ chargers), and must approve or deny complete applications within 20 business days for smaller projects (40 days for larger ones); if these timelines lapse without action, the permit is automatically approved unless a finding is made that the project would cause a specific adverse health or safety impact. The law also clarifies applicability to all cities, including charter cities, and refines requirements around parking for EV charging stations as part of its broader goal to accelerate EV infrastructure deployment statewide.
On July 14, 2026, the City Council introduced the Ordinance amending Title 15. Staff is now presenting the Ordinance for Second Reading and adoption. Staff will publish a summary of the proposed Ordinance in the local newspaper, per Government Code §36933(a), within 15 days after its passage. After thirty (30) days, the ordinance will be published in its entirety on the City website. The Ordinance would become effective 30 days after the Second Reading.
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
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Siamlu Cox
Attachment(s):
A. Ordinance No.2026-07-1560, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Signal Hill, California, Adding Chapter 15.14 “Electric Vehicle Charging Stations” to Title 15 “Buildings and Construction” of the Signal Hill Municipal Code, Relating to an Expedited, Streamlined Permitting Process for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, and Finding said Action Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.”
B. Residential and Non-Residential Checklist for Permitting Electric Vehicle Charging Stations