Do I Need a Permit to Install an EV Charger in California?

EV charger installation permit requirements. Level 1 vs Level 2, panel capacity, and available rebates.

Level 2 (240V) chargers yes. Level 1 (120V plug-in) no.

In California

EV charger installation is electrical work under the statewide California Electrical Code. NOTE ON SOURCING: California also has a dedicated EV-charging permit streamlining statute at Government Code 65850.7, but that section currently has TWO operative versions on leginfo (Stats. 2022 Ch. 373 as amended by Stats. 2024 Ch. 607) and the site returns a version picker rather than text, so its terms are NOT quoted or relied on here. Ask your city which version it is applying. California does not leave the code edition to the city. Health and Safety Code 17922 adopts Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations statewide, and requires that those standards 'impose substantially the same requirements as are contained in the most recent editions' of the named model codes, including 'The International Building Code of the International Code Council.' and 'The International Residential Code of the International Code Council.' A city or county may still vary it, but only on narrow grounds: under Health and Safety Code 17958.5 a local change must be 'reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions', and under 17958.7 the governing body 'shall make an express finding' to that effect, file it with the California Building Standards Commission, and 'No modification or change shall become effective or operative for any purpose until the finding and the modification or change have been filed with the California Building Standards Commission.' AND THERE IS A LIVE FREEZE ON NEW RESIDENTIAL AMENDMENTS: 'Commencing October 1, 2025, to June 1, 2031, inclusive, a city or county shall not make a change or modification as described in subdivision (a) or (b), including to green building standards, that is applicable to residential units, unless one of the following conditions is met:' - broadly, that it is substantially equivalent to something already filed and in effect as of September 30, 2025, or the commission deems it necessary as an emergency standard. So for residential work today, expect the statewide code to govern and treat a NEW local residential amendment as the exception that has to justify itself.

Level 1 vs Level 2

Level 1 chargers plug into a standard 120V outlet and do not require a permit. Level 2 chargers require a dedicated 240V circuit (usually 40-50 amps) and always require an electrical permit. Level 2 is what most EV owners install for practical daily charging speeds.

Panel Capacity

A Level 2 EV charger draws 40A and requires a 50A breaker. Many older homes have 100A or 150A panels that may not have capacity. If your panel is full, you'll need a sub-panel or panel upgrade ($1,500-$3,000 additional). An electrician can do a load calculation to determine if your current panel can handle it.

Installation Location

Most home EV chargers are installed in the garage, near the electrical panel. Longer runs from the panel to the charger increase wire cost. Outdoor installations require a weatherproof-rated charger (NEMA 4 or 4X enclosure).

Rebates and Incentives

Many utilities offer rebates for residential EV charger installations. Federal tax credits may also apply. Check current programs with your utility before installation — rebates often require pre-approval and may have specific equipment requirements.

Level 2 chargers need an electrical permit ($40-$75). Fast approval, one inspection. Check for utility rebates first.

Permit fees by city in California

Verified from each city’s published fee schedule. Where a city has no separate fee listed for this project, open the city page for the current requirements and amount.

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Permit fees by city in California
	Permit fee	Source
Fresno	Due at permit issuanceVerified	Electrical Permit →
Long Beach	Per the City's published fee schedulesVerified	Electrical Permit →
Los Angeles	Calculated per project by the City's Permit Fee Calculator; no schedule is publishedVerified	Electrical Permit (including Solar Photovoltaic) →
Oakland	NOT PUBLISHED on the pages readVerified	Electrical Permit →
Sacramento	See the City's average minor permit costsVerified	Electrical Permit (Residential electrical minor work) →
San Diego	Per Information Bulletin 103Verified	Electrical Permit →
San Jose	NOT PUBLISHED on the online permits pageVerified	Electrical Permit →

See the national overview for this permit →