If you live in Santa Clara County and own an electric vehicle (EV), you may be wondering if you need a permit to install a charger at your home. The answer is yes, you do need a permit. In this blog post, we'll outline the steps you need to take in order to get your EV charger installation permit.
The first step is to determine which type of charger you need. There are Level 1 chargers, which plug into a standard 120-volt outlet, and Level 2 chargers, which require a 240-volt outlet. Level 2 chargers are much faster and are therefore the preferred option for most EV owners. An EV charger installation electrician will be able to advise you on the best type of charger for your home. Click here to learn more from this helpful site.
The next step is to check your local zoning laws to make sure that an EV charger installation is allowed in your area. Different cities and counties have different laws, so it’s important that you check with your local government before proceeding. On the Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development website, you can find the zoning laws for Santa Clara County.
Once you’ve determined your local regulations, you can then complete the EV charger installation permit application available on the Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development website. The application will ask for basic information about your property and the type of charger that you wish to install.
Presented here is a summary of guidelines for getting your EV charger installation permit in Santa Clara County.
•An electrical permit is required for an EV charging system to be installed in the garage or carport of a single-family dwelling.• Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) consists of the connector, cord, and interface to utility power.• The interface between the EVSE and utility power is typically directly hard-wired to the control device, and each automaker has its own EVSE design. A J1772 Standard EV coupler should be utilized for all installations.• The following information is required with the application for an over-the-counter permit: 1) EV charging system information; 2) existing electrical service panel size and location at residence; 3) clarify EVs location and wiring method; 4) manufacturer’s installation guideline must be available at site for inspector; 5) all new electrical wiring shall be in conformance with California Electrical Code.
After your permit has been approved by the county, it is time to hire a licensed electrician to install your charger. It is important that you only hire a certified installer who is knowledgeable in California building codes and electrical safety requirements, as well as experienced with EV chargers specifically. Be sure to get several quotes from different contractors before making your decision. In a related study by Santa Clara County, the average cost of an EV charger installation ranged from $1,000 to $2,500.
Once your charger has been installed, the county will then inspect it to make sure that it is correctly wired and compliant with all local codes. After passing inspection, you can then activate the charger and begin using it to charge your electric vehicle. By 2023 it is estimated that there will be more than 50 million electric vehicles on the road in the United States, so having an electric vehicle charger installed is becoming increasingly common. A local electrician we spoke to said that he has seen a huge increase in requests for EV charger installations in the past few years.
For more information or to find out about other EV-related permits, visit the Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development website. We hope this blog has been helpful in understanding how to obtain an EV charger installation permit in Santa Clara County. Good luck with your project!
Installing an EV charger at your home is a great way to make sure that your car is always charged and ready to go. In Santa Clara County, however, it's important to remember that you will need a permit in order to do so. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can easily obtain the permit you need and get your charger installed in no time!
By following these steps, you can easily obtain a permit for an EV charger installation at your home in Santa Clara County. Make sure to research local laws and hire a qualified professional for the job, and you’ll be on your way to charging up your electric vehicle in no time!
Happy charging!