Electric Vehicle Charger Requirements for New Construction
In 2024, Santa Monica updated the EV Charger Reach Code to comply with the 2024 CALGreen Mid-Cycle update, requiring a minimum percentage of parking spaces in new residential and nonresidential projects to have electric vehicle (EV) chargers installed or to be equipped with infrastructure to support future EV charging (see the table below for details). The new code follows CALGreen Tier 1 requirements and takes effect on July 25th, 2024.
Increasing the availability of EV charging infrastructure at new facilities is a cost-effective way to support EV adoption. Replacing fossil-fueled vehicle trips with EVs is a critical component of the City's carbon emissions reduction goals, outlined in the City's EV Action Plan and the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan.
Click here for the Electronic Plan Review application that is required for all new construction. The permit for the EV Charging stations are included as a part of the overall project permit.
Santa Monica's EV Charger Reach Code Requirements - CALGreen Tier 1
Single Family Home:
- One EV Capable parking space
Multifamily, Hotels, & Motels (Tier 1 Option A):
- Low Power Level 2 Receptacles (EV Ready): 50% of Parking Spaces.
- EV Chargers Installed: 15% of Parking Spaces.
- 50% of installed EV chargers must be equipped with J1772 connectors.
Non-Residential Buildings Parking Spaces Pathway (Tier 1):
- ~11% of parking spaces must be equipped with Level 2 EV Chargers
- ~18% of parking spaces must be Level 2 EV Capable
- ~20% of parking spaces at Office Parking Facilities must be Low Power Level 2 EV Ready
OR
Non-Residential Buildings Power Allocation Pathway (Tier 1):
6.6 kVA per required space using a kVA through a combination of
- Level 2 - At least one Level 2 space
- DCFC EVSEs
- Low Power Level 2
- EV Capable space
(The exact number of EV spaces varies for non-residential projects based on the total number of parking spaces provided. Refer to Table A5.106.5.3.1 Tier 1 for Parking Spaces Pathway OR refer to Table A5.106.5.3.2 Tier 1 for the optional Power Allocation Pathway in the adopted ordinance for details.)
For more information on the new codes use the resources linked below and in the FAQ section.
EV Charger Reach Code Guidance
2024 EV Charger Reach Code Ordinance
2024 EV Charger Reach Code Staff Report
EV and EV Charger Incentives and Rebates