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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 Solutions

Gridspan Solutions, based in Los Angeles, CA, is an engineering and design firm focused on clean transportation infrastructure. The company designs and engineers Level 2 commercial and residential EV chargers and high‑power Level 3 (DC fast) charging systems for fleets, retail and public sites. It also integrates scalable battery energy storage to optimize energy use, reduce peak demand and provide backup power, while offering solar PV solutions that seamlessly combine with charging and storage assets. Services include site assessments, load analysis, permit‑ready drawings, utility coordination, BESS sizing and modeling, peak‑shaving strategies, and commercial rooftop or canopy solar design. Backed by extensive experience in energy infrastructure, Gridspan Solutions delivers turnkey, reliable solutions that support the transition to clean transportation. The business operates with modest monthly revenue as it continues to grow.

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