AB 546: Land use: local ordinances: energy systems.

Existing law, the Planning and Zoning Law, among other things, requires the legislative body of each county and city to adopt a general plan for the physical development of the county or city and authorizes the adoption and administration of zoning laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations by counties and cities.

Existing law requires a city, county, or city and county to approve an application for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, as defined, through the issuance of specified permits unless the city or county makes specified written findings. Existing law provides that the implementation of consistent statewide standards to achieve the timely and cost-effective installation of electric vehicle charging stations is a matter of statewide concern.

This bill would, on or before September 30, 2018, for a city, including a charter city, county, or city and county with a population of 200,000 or more residents, or January 31, 2019, for a city, including a charter city, county, or city and county with a population of less than 200,000 residents, require the city, county, or city and county to make all documentation and forms associated with the permitting of advanced energy storage, as defined, available on a publicly accessible Internet Web site, as specified. The bill would require a city, county, or city and county to allow for the electronic submittal of a permit application and associated documentation, except as specified.

The bill would authorize the Governors Office of Planning and Research to provide guidance on energy storage permitting, including streamlining, best practices, and potential factors for consideration by local government in establishing fees for permitting and inspection, as specified.

This bill would make findings and declarations that implementation of consistent statewide standards to achieve the timely and cost-effective installation of energy storage systems is a matter of statewide concern.

By increasing the duties of local officials, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.