Council adopts ordinance to expedite EV charger permits to comply with state law

The city moved to align local permitting with state law on electric vehicle charging installation by introducing and waiving first reading of an ordinance (text amendment 13‑26) to add Section 15.57 to the Hanford Municipal Code.

Staff described the ordinance as an incorporation of AB 1236 and AB 970 checklists to expedite permits for qualifying EV charging station projects and to make the checklist accessible through the citizen self‑service portal. Staff said the change brings Hanford into compliance and will streamline administrative review timelines for most residential and commercial EV charging installations.

There was no opposition in public comment. Council voted to introduce and waive the first reading as amended (5‑0). Staff will return with final ordinance adoption steps and implement the EnerGov checklist in the portal.