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AB 1820

Electric vehicle charging stations: permit fees.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pilar Schiavo

AB 1820 standardizes EV charging permit-fee caps statewide, allowing higher fees only with documented administrative costs and a formal finding.

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.
#electricvehiclechargingstations #permitfees
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 1820

Summary of AB 1820 (2025-2026) — Electric vehicle charging stations: permit fees

Purpose and intent

AB 1820 seeks to establish standardized, statewide limits on permit fees charged by local governments for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations (EVCS) and to authorize higher fees only with substantiated evidence of reasonable costs. The bill aims to create predictability and streamline the permitting process for EVCS, while preserving local flexibility to charge higher fees when justified by documented administrative costs.

Key provisions and changes

  • New chapter added: Chapter 7.7 ( commencing with Section 66015.5) of Division 1, Title 7 of the Government Code.
    • General rule (non-discretionary cap): Local governments (cities, counties, and charter cities) shall not charge a permit fee for an EVCS that exceeds the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service. For residential EVCS, the default cap is:
    • Up to $100 base fee plus $15 per kilowatt for each kilowatt above 15 kW.
    • Commercial EVCS cap: For commercial installations (51 kW to 250 kW range and above), the default cap is:
    • $500 base plus $5 per kilowatt for each kilowatt between 51 kW and 250 kW, plus $2 per kilowatt above 250 kW.
    • Optional higher fee (with findings): A local agency may set a fee higher than the default caps if, through a written finding and adopted resolution or ordinance, it provides substantial evidence of the reasonable cost to issue the permit.
    • Contents of the required finding (if higher fee is charged):
    • Confirm adoption of appropriate ordinances, permit fees, and streamlined permit processes in line with state guidelines and model ordinances.
    • Include a calculation of the administrative cost of issuing the EVCS permit.
    • Describe how the higher fee will lead to a quicker, streamlined approval process.
    • Definitions:
    • “Administrative costs” include review, approval, issuance, hourly inspections, follow-up, and may include amortization of costs for producing the written finding and adopting the ordinance.
    • “Electric vehicle charging station” aligns with the definition in Section 65850.7.
    • “Permit fee” means the total charges related to the EVCS permit.
  • Sunset date: The new EVCS permit-fee chapter remains in effect only until January 1, 2036, after which it would be repealed.
  • Application to all cities: The bill declares that establishing consistent permitting standards for EVCS is a matter of statewide concern and applies to all cities, including charter cities.
  • No mandatory reimbursements: The bill specifies that no state reimbursement is required for local agencies to implement these provisions.
  • Relation to solar permitting provisions: The bill also includes nonsubstantive updates to existing solar-permitting fee provisions (to remain consistent with the new EVCS framework), including existing caps that apply through 2034 (these solar provisions were already set to expire in 2034; the EVCS provisions have a separate 2036 sunset).

Who and what is affected

  • Affects: Local governments in California (cities, counties, and charter cities) that issue building or nondiscretionary permits for EV charging stations.
  • Affects here-and-now: The cost structure for EVCS permits, determining whether a fee is capped at the default levels or justifiably higher under findings.
  • Impact on developers and property owners: Potentially more predictable permitting costs for residential and commercial EVCS installation, with a pathway to higher fees if justified by documented costs.
  • Impact on permit-process efficiency: By requiring findings and cost-calculation, the bill encourages formalized, cost-based decision-making, potentially supporting faster approvals where the higher-fee mechanism is used.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status and history: As of May 2026, AB 1820 has progressed through committee stages and advanced to readings in the California Assembly.
  • Sunset timelines:
    • EVCS permit-fee framework: expires January 1, 2036 (repealed after that date unless extended).
    • Solar permit-fee framework (existing provisions): currently set to expire January 1, 2034 (unchanged by this bill, but referenced in the amendments to ensure alignment).
  • Fiscal considerations: The bill notes no mandatory state reimbursement for local agencies and relies on existing state authority to allocate funds for local programs indirectly; it interprets costs as the basis for admin-fee calculations.

Practical considerations for implementation

  • Local agencies considering higher EVCS permit fees must prepare:
    • A written finding detailing the streamlined permitting processes and cost calculations.
    • An adopted ordinance or resolution justifying the higher fee.
  • Agencies should ensure consistency with California Solar Permitting Guidebook practices and state guidelines/model ordinances when implementing higher-fee findings.

Overall, AB 1820 standardizes EVCS permit-fee caps while allowing justified deviations based on demonstrated administrative costs, with a defined sunset for the new framework and alignment with existing solar permitting provisions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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