To streamline permitting processes for EV charging station deployment, several best practices can be implemented based on successful models and recommendations:
Standardize and Simplify Reviews
- Create checklists of requirements for expedited review, prominently displayed online.
- Limit reviews to health and safety criteria, excluding discretionary design approvals.
- Allow administrative approval for projects meeting checklist standards, bypassing lengthy hearings.
Digitize Processes
- Adopt online permitting portals for submissions, approvals, and tracking.
- Accept electronic signatures and fillable PDF applications to reduce paperwork.
- Provide sample timelines (e.g., 15-day review periods) to manage developer expectations.
Pre-Submission Support
- Host preliminary design reviews (e.g., D.C.’s PDRM meetings) to clarify requirements before formal applications.
- Publish guidance documents like New York’s DC Fast Charger Streamlined Permitting Guidebook, which standardizes steps and expectations.
Concurrent Reviews
- Combine architectural, electrical, and safety reviews into a single parallel process to reduce delays.
- Define clear rejection criteria upfront to minimize iterative revisions.
Policy Frameworks
- Enact “right-to-charge” laws to override restrictive HOA or zoning policies.
- Waive unnecessary approvals for chargers in existing parking facilities.
Example Workflows
- Fairfax County:
- Online applications → fee payment → county review → permit issuance.
- Washington, D.C.:
- Preliminary meeting → location approval → conduit permits → occupancy permits.
By implementing these measures, local governments can reduce permitting timelines from months to weeks, accelerating EV infrastructure growth.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-can-permitting-processes-be-streamlined-to-facilitate-the-deployment-of-ev-charging-stations/
