Electric Vehicle Charger

General Information
There are two basic types of electric vehicle chargers for home use (Level 1 and Level 2). Level 1 chargers are smaller units that plug directly into a standard 120 volt receptacle outlet. These types of chargers typically require a longer period of time to recharge the vehicle. As long as the receptacle outlet being used to plug-in the Level 1 charger is existing, there is no requirement to secure a permit from the Building and Safety Division. If you will be installing a new 120 volt receptacle outlet for the charger, you will need to obtain an electrical permit, but plans or electrical load calculations are not required.

A Level 2 EV charging system requires 240 volts and charges the vehicle much faster than a Level 1 charger. Level 2 charger installations require a permit from the city. In order to obtain the permit you will need to provide the city with electrical load calculations to show that your existing electrical service can handle the added load. If a service upgrade is necessary, please contact Anaheim Public Utilities at (714) 765-3300 to request for the required “meter spot” inspection. Approval must also be granted by the Utilities Department for the EV charger installation.

Installing a Level 2 EV charging system often requires changes to building wiring and Utility electric services. Before installing charging equipment and associated infrastructure, talk to your EV manufacturer for information about what you need to charge your vehicle. If separate contractors are used for the infrastructure wiring and the EV installation, separate permits will be required for each portion.

When installing your EV Charger, be sure to use a licensed electrical contractor whose license is current with the state Contractor’s License Board and the city of Anaheim Business Division. The contractor shall follow the guidelines of the manufacturer installation instructions and all necessary Code requirements. When mechanical ventilation is required for the EV charger, an additional mechanical permit will be required.

Why is the Electric Utility concerned about your EV Charger installation? 
Although an individual Level 2 EV charger may have a negligible impact on the Public Utilities electric system, the combined effect of several EV chargers in the same area could result in overloads on Utility secondary wires and transformers. It is crucial that the city of Anaheim be notified of any Level 2 charger installations to ensure the Utility electrical system components are adequately sized to maintain high levels of service reliability. For more information, please contact the city of Anaheim’s Public Utilities Department at (714) 765-3300. This information can also be accessed on the Public Utilities webpage at Anaheim.net/publicutilties or you can visit Public Utilities Electrical Engineering on the 7th floor at 201 S. Anaheim Blvd. in Anaheim.

Planning and Zoning Requirements

  • Online applications can only be processed for EV chargers that are not visible to the public, including adjacent neighbors. For example, mounted on the wall in the garage
  • EV chargers that are located in public view will require Planning’s approval of appropriate screening. Upon approval you may complete the permitting process at the Building Division counter.  

Requirements for screening:
EV chargers that are located either on the front of the house or the side of the house will need to be designed so that it is not visible from adjacent neighbors and is not visible from the street, whether public or private.  One of the following methods may be used:

  • All equipment painted to match the wall that the charger is mounted on.
  • Equipment is screened by a fence or perimeter block wall.
  • Equipment is screened by substantial landscaping such as shrubbery that is evergreen.

If you have questions about these screening requirements, please contact the Planning Counter at (714) 765-5139.

Approval Requirements:
The following permit is required to install an electrical vehicle charger:

  • ELECTRICAL PERMIT which can be obtained online

Note: our online process allows for electronic signature on all forms, applications and other documentation to be used in lieu of a wet signature

Submittal Requirements:

Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Permitting Checklist:

https://static.business.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/OPR-Checklist.pdf

Permit Fees:
The cost of the building permit is $147.67 However, the EV Charger Permit Fee Waiver Program covers the cost of the permit. 

Inspections:
Once all permits have been issued and the system has been installed, it must be inspected before final approval is granted. On-site inspections can be scheduled by contacting the Building Inspection Request Line (714) 765-4626 or online at www.anaheim.net/building Inspection requests scheduled by 11:59 p.m. may be scheduled on the following work day.

Inspections Required:


Inspections

Code 

Electrical Final

399

Contact Information and Resources
For additional information regarding this permit process, please contact:
Anaheim Building Division
200 South Anaheim Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 765-5153
buildingdivisionweb@anaheim.net

For additional information regarding Electric Vehicles, please contact:

Anaheim Public Utilities
(714) 765-3300
customerservice@anaheim.net 

EV Charger Rebate http://www.anaheim.net/593/EV-Charger-Rebate 

Types of Plug-In Electric Vehicles http://www.anaheim.net/585/Types-of-Plug-In-EVs