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California EV Charging Permitting - Engineering &amp; Design Workflow THE ENGINEERING PROCESS: 1. FACILITY ASSESSMENT New Construction:CALGreen 2025 mandatory (effective January 1, 2026) Multifamily: 100% EV-ready per unit (assigned + unassigned) PLUS 25% installed EVCS Hotels: 65% total (40% receptacles + 25% EVSE) Office: Up to 75% of employee parking 4:1 sharing allowed with ALMS (3.3kW minimum per port) Existing Facility:CALGreen triggered only if adding more than 10% parking Start with capacity study &nbsp; 2. CAPACITY STUDY Gather:Service size (main breaker rating) Voltage and phase 12 months utility bills (peak kW demand) Panel schedules Calculate Available Capacity:Available Capacity = (Service Rating × Voltage × 1.732 × 0.8) - Peak LoadExample: 400A, 208V, 75kW peak = (400 × 208 × 1.732 × 0.8) - 75kW = 115.5kW - 75kW = 40.5kW available for EV&nbsp; 3. LOAD CALCULATIONS Step 1: Choose Sharing Ratio1:1 (One Circuit per Port):Total circuits = Total ports Total load = Ports × kW per port Use for: DCFC, critical ops, small deployments 2:1 (Two Ports per Circuit):Total circuits = Ports ÷ 2 Total load = Circuits × kW per circuit 50% infrastructure savings Use for: Multifamily assigned parking, workplace 4:1 (Four Ports per Circuit with EMS):Total circuits = Ports ÷ 4 Managed load with EMS 75% infrastructure savings CALGreen allows with 3.3kW minimum guarantee Use for: High-density unassigned parking Step 2: Calculate DemandWithout EMS:Demand = (Total load from sharing ratio) × 1.25 continuous factor With EMS (NEC 625.42(C)):Demand = (EMS managed setpoint) × 1.25 continuous factor Example (40 ports, 7.68kW each):Unmanaged 1:1: 40 × 7.68kW × 1.25 = 384kW Managed with EMS to 150kW: 150kW × 1.25 = 188kW Savings: 196kW (51% reduction) &nbsp; 4. INFRASTRUCTURE DECISION Compare EV demand to available capacity:Sufficient Capacity:Available capacity exceeds EV demand plus 20% margin Tap existing service, install EV subpanel No utility work order needed Need Load Management:Available capacity less than unmanaged demand EMS reduces demand to fit existing service Requires UL 916 listed EMS controller, CTs, network Document in plans and Title 24 CF1R-ENV-03 Need Service Work:Insufficient capacity even with load management Options: Service upgrade, new meter, or new transformer Requires utility work order Check utility programs: SCE Charge Ready 2, PG&amp;E EV Fleet (waitlist until June 2026), LADWP rebates Large Scale (over 500kW):Requires padmount transformer or medium voltage Selective coordination study, arc flash analysis Harmonic mitigation for multiple DCFC &nbsp; 5. CODE COMPLIANCE NEC 2023 (Effective January 1, 2026):Article 625: EV requirements 625.41: GFCI protection (4-6mA trip, UL listed) 625.42: Energy Management Systems 625.42(C): Demand reduction with listed EMS 625.44: 125% continuous load factor 625.48: Interactive systems (solar/storage) CALGreen 2025 (New Construction):Multifamily: 100% receptacles per unit + 25% EVCS Hotels: 40% receptacles + 25% EVCS = 65% total Office: Up to 75% EVCS ALMS: 4:1 sharing with 3.3kW minimum Title 24 Part 6 (2025):CF1R-ENV-03 supplement if using load management Expanded solar mandates Photometric compliance if altering lighting CBC Chapter 11B (Accessibility):Table 11B-228.3.2.1 for accessible counts Slopes: 2.08% maximum all directions Van-accessible: 11-foot aisle minimum Field-verify slopes before design Accessible Requirements:1-4 ports: 1 accessible (1 van) 5-25 ports: 2 accessible (1 van) 26-50 ports: 4 accessible (1 van) 51-75 ports: 5 accessible (2 van) 76-100 ports: 6 accessible (2 van) 101-150 ports: 7 accessible (3 van) 151-200 ports: 8 accessible (4 van) Over 200 ports: 4% accessible Equipment Listings:EVSE: UL 2594 (L2), UL 2202 (DCFC) Personnel Protection: UL 2231-1 (L2), UL 2231-2 (DCFC) EMS: UL 916 &nbsp; 6. ELECTRICAL DESIGN One-Line Diagram:Service/metering point New panels and feeders OCPD ratings and series ratings Load management topology (if applicable): EMS controller, CTs, fail-safe logic Grounding: GES, GEC, EGC Fault duty at each bus with AIC ratings Solar/storage notation if present Panel Schedules:Load summaries Consistent circuit numbering (EV-A-1, EV-A-2, etc.) Calculations Required:NEC 220 demand (show sharing ratio and diversity) Voltage drop (3% feeder, 5% total maximum) Short-circuit at each bus GEC and EGC sizing per Article 250 Load Management Documentation (if using EMS):EMS controller specs (UL 916 listed) CT locations and ratios Setpoint logic and control cadence Fail-safe: EVSE default to nameplate when EMS offline Title 24 CF1R-ENV-03 supplement &nbsp; 7. SITE DESIGN Accessibility (Critical):Field-verify slopes with inclinometer BEFORE design Relocate or regrade if over 2.08% Van-accessible: 11-foot aisle (can share between two stalls) Continuous accessible route from public way to EVCS Operable parts: 15-48 inches above floor Stall Layout:Standard: 9 feet × 18 feet minimum Accessible: 18 feet × 18 feet preferred Bollards: 42-48 inches high, 36-48 inches from pedestal Working clearance: 36 inches at equipment doors Conduit:Group pedestals to minimize trench Pull spare conduits (20-30% extra) Label spares Signage:"EV CHARGING ONLY" with ISA symbol (accessible stalls) "VAN ACCESSIBLE" at van stalls Stall ID numbers Blue hash marks for access aisles &nbsp; 8. UTILITY COORDINATION (If New Service/Transformer) Start BEFORE finalizing permit plansSubmit to Utility:Site plan with service route and meter location Load letter by phase (include sharing ratio) Short-circuit data Transformer pad/vault location Single-line diagram Utility Programs:SCE Charge Ready 2:Up to 100% make-ready rebates TOU-EV-9 rate for load management PG&amp;E EV Fleet:2+ medium/heavy-duty vehicles CRITICAL: Waitlist until June 30, 2026 - apply immediately 5-year commitment LADWP:Up to $1,000 per L2 charger rebate R-EV/A-EV rates &nbsp; 9. PERMIT SUBMITTAL PACKAGE Documents:Permit applications (building/electrical/planning) Plan set PDF (PE stamped if required) Load calculations and one-line (PE stamped for large projects) Utility service letter or confirmation Product cut sheets (UL listings highlighted) Accessibility sheet with CBC Table 11B-228.3.2.1 Title 24 forms: CF1R, CF1R-ENV-03 (if load management) Traffic control plan (if trenching active lots) Plan Set Sheets:Cover: Project data, codes, scope, utility contacts General Notes: Demolition, trenching, backfill Site Plan: Stall layout, accessible counts, slopes, conduit routing Civil Details: Trench sections, paving, bollards Electrical One-Line: Service, feeders, OCPD, EMS, grounding, fault duty Electrical Schedules/Calcs: Panels, load calcs, voltage drop, short-circuit Equipment Details: EVSE mounting, foundations, clearances Accessibility Sheet: Enlarged plan, slopes, dimensions, CBC table citation Signage/Striping: Details with dimensions Cut Sheets: EVSE, pedestals, switchgear, CTs, EMS Utility Package: Service letter, meter forms, transformer details Dedicated Accessibility Sheet:Enlarged plan (1:10 scale minimum) Spot elevations and slope percentages Access aisle widths dimensioned Path of travel shown Reach ranges verified CBC Table 11B-228.3.2.1 citation with counts &nbsp; 10. PLAN CHECK REVIEW Avoid These Common Comments:Accessibility:Solution: Field-verify slopes, dedicated accessibility sheet No utility coordination:Solution: Attach service letter or email confirmation Load management unclear:Solution: EMS controller, CTs, fail-safe on one-line plus narrative AIC mismatch:Solution: Fault calc summary, circle AIC on cut sheets Missing signage:Solution: Matrix with location, label text, sheet reference Working clearance conflicts:Solution: Dimension 36-inch clear space, door swing arcs Inconsistent circuit IDs:Solution: Consistent numbering (EV-A-1 format) Missing Title 24:Solution: CF1R and CF1R-ENV-03 if load management &nbsp; QUICK DECISION FLOW: New construction or existing?New → CALGreen 2025 requirements apply Existing → Capacity study first Capacity studyFormula: (Service × Voltage × 1.732 × 0.8) - Peak Load Choose sharing ratio1:1 for DCFC/critical 2:1 for standard multifamily/workplace 4:1 for high-density with EMS Calculate demandApply sharing ratio Add 125% continuous factor Reduce with EMS per NEC 625.42(C) if applicable Compare to available capacitySufficient → Tap existing Marginal → Add EMS Insufficient → Utility work required If utility work → Start coordination early (especially PG&amp;E - waitlist) Design complianceNEC 625, CALGreen 2025, Title 24 Part 6, CBC 11B Accessibility FIRSTField-verify slopes before layout Submit permit with all documentation Respond to plan check &nbsp; KEY FORMULAS Available Capacity:(Service Rating × Voltage × 1.732 × 0.8) - Peak Existing LoadEV Demand (Unmanaged):(Ports ÷ Sharing Ratio) × kW per Circuit × 1.25EV Demand (With EMS):EMS Setpoint × 1.25Voltage Drop (Single-Phase):VD = 2 × K × I × L / CM K = 12.9 (copper), I = Current (A), L = Length (ft), CM = Circular Mils&nbsp; CRITICAL REMINDERS:- Capacity study drives everything - don't skip it -&nbsp;Sharing ratio determines infrastructure cost -&nbsp;Field-verify accessibility slopes BEFORE design -&nbsp;If using PG&amp;E, apply to EV Fleet Program immediately (waitlist) -&nbsp;Load management saves 40-60% infrastructure cost -&nbsp;CALGreen 2025 allows 4:1 sharing with 3.3kW minimum -&nbsp;All EV loads are continuous (125% factor per NEC 625.44) -&nbsp;Accessibility sheet is mandatory and must be detailed -&nbsp;Title 24 CF1R-ENV-03 required if using load management &nbsp; This workflow applies to all projects: 4 ports or 200+ ports. The process is the same - only scale changes.

California EV Charging Permitting: A Guide for Multifamily & Commercial

Gridspan 

We identify and advance 40–150 MW scalable data center campuses by securing transmission feasibility, substation strategy, and early-stage utility alignment nationwide.

WHAT WE DO
Early-Stage Power & Infrastructure De-Risking

We acquire and control land positioned near high-voltage transmission corridors and advance projects through:

• Transmission proximity and capacity analysis
• Conceptual substation planning
• Interconnection strategy development
• Utility pre-application engagement
• Phased MW expansion modeling

Our focus is realistic power delivery, not speculative land.

OUR TARGET PROFILE

We focus on:

• 40–60 MW initial block
• Expandable to 100–150 MW
• 50–300 acre parcels
• Proximity to 115 kV, 138 kV, or 230 kV infrastructure

WHO WE WORK WITH
Capital Partners

Seeking early-stage infrastructure opportunities with defined exit milestones.

Emerging Operators

Looking for transmission-backed campus sites without building an in-house development team.

Landowners

Interested in structured option agreements aligned with utility and infrastructure timelines.

OUR DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Corridor Identification

Power Feasibility Assessment

Structured Site Control

Utility Engagement

Milestone-Based Advancement

Defined Exit or Joint Venture

WHY GRIDSPAN

• Power-first development approach
• Transmission and substation expertise
• Phased expansion strategy
• Risk-aware capital structure
• Repeatable development framework

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California EV Charging Permitting: A Guide for Multifamil...