What does getPermit actually do?

getPermit reads your job details and tells you what a California city expects before you file: which permits the work triggers, the documents and plans you'll need, the fees to budget for, and the common reasons applications in that jurisdiction get bounced back. It produces a clear checklist you can act on. It does not submit to the city for you — you (or your permit person) stay in control of what gets filed.

Is there a human involved, or is it just AI?

Both. The AI does the research and drafts the assessment and checklist; an experienced permit coordinator reviews and approves it before it's treated as authoritative. The human check is the point — it's how we keep it trustworthy in a process where a wrong filing has real consequences.

Which cities do you cover?

We're starting deep in California rather than shallow everywhere. For a city we haven't fully mapped yet, we'll give you accurate general California guidance and point you to that city's official building department — and you can join the waitlist to be notified when we cover it in depth. We will not invent city-specific fees or timelines we haven't verified.

Solo electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors, and small general contractors who don't have a dedicated permit department and lose billable hours to permit admin.

How much does it cost?

It's pre-launch. Join the waitlist and you'll get founder pricing, your jurisdiction prioritized, and a direct line to the team. No spam, no credit card.

We're onboarding a first set of California contractors. Join the waitlist with your city and trade so we can prioritize the jurisdictions our early users actually work in.

EV charger install permits in Palo Alto, CA

General California guidance last updated May 22, 2026 · Palo Alto data verified August 10, 2026

What electrical contractors need to know about pulling a ev charger install permit in Palo Alto (Santa Clara County).

Short answer

In California, a hardwired Level 2 EV charger (EVSE) install needs an electrical permit because it adds a dedicated circuit and load — generally pulled by a licensed C-10 contractor under the California Electrical Code (Title 24, Part 3, Articles 625 and 220). Most California cities now offer streamlined or instant residential EV-charger permitting under SB 1222 / AB 1236.

Palo Alto accepts submittal through the Accela Citizen Access (ACA) and has adopted the 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) with Palo Alto amendments. Fee details and sources are below.

Palo Alto permit data

Sourced from public City of Palo Alto documents — every field carries the source URL and verification date.

Permit portal

Accela Citizen Access (ACA)

verified Aug 10, 2026 · source · The city's online permitting portal — all permit submittals go through ACA. Inspection scheduling, permit-history search, and fee payment are available on the portal without logging in

Adopted code edition

2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) with Palo Alto amendments

verified Aug 10, 2026 · source · Ordinance No. 5674 (passed October 20, 2025) adopts the 2025 California Building Code, Title 24 Part 2, Volumes 1 & 2, by reference with local omissions, amendments, exceptions, and additions

Fee schedule

Building Fees — FY 2026 Adopted Municipal Fee Schedule (Planning and Development Services)

verified Aug 10, 2026 · source · Linked as "Building Fees (PDF)" on the Building Permit Forms page; the citywide FY 2026 Municipal Fee Schedule was adopted by the City Council on June 16, 2025. No FY 2027 building-fee schedule was posted as of retrieval — re-check when the city posts one

City of Palo Alto Planning & Development Services →All verified Palo Alto data →

The general picture in California

Adding a hardwired EV charger to a residence or workplace nearly always requires an electrical permit. The install adds a dedicated 240V circuit, typically requires a load calculation against the existing service, and may trigger a panel upgrade if the existing service can't carry the new load. California state law (AB 1236, then SB 1222) requires expedited residential EV-charger permitting — many cities issue same-day or via an online checklist. Plug-in Level 1 chargers using an existing 120V outlet generally don't require a permit; a new dedicated 120V or 240V circuit does.

For deeper background that isn't Palo Alto-specific, see the statewide ev charger install guide.

Typically needs a permit

EV charger install itself triggers a permit in nearly every California jurisdiction, Palo Alto included. Palo Alto-specific variations are confirmed with the issuing department above.

Usually doesn't (general norm)

Plugging a portable Level 1 charger into an existing, properly-rated receptacle with no new circuit
Replacing one EVSE with another of the same output on the same existing circuit (verify locally — some cities still require a permit)

Documents & plans generally required

Electrical permit application — residential EV applications are often a checkbox/streamlined form
Contractor license and city business registration
Site plan / location of the charger and the panel
Load calculation — connected load vs. service capacity (NEC Article 220 + 625.42)
Single-line diagram showing the new breaker, conductor size, and EVSE
EVSE manufacturer cut sheet (UL listed; maximum output amps)
Service-upgrade documentation if the load calc requires it

Common reasons ev charger install applications get bounced

Code-rooted patterns across California — not a Palo Alto-specific rejection rate.

Missing or incomplete load calculation showing the new EVSE within service capacity
Conductor or breaker sizing not at 125% of the EVSE's continuous output
GFCI protection not specified where required by the current code cycle
EVSE not listed/labeled by a recognized testing lab, or cut sheet missing
Outdoor location without a NEMA-rated enclosure or weather-resistant disconnect
Service capacity exceeded without a panel upgrade or load-management device (EVEMS) shown

The inspection sequence

A typical order — the number of stops and exact sequence vary by jurisdiction and scope.

1Rough inspection if conduit/wiring is concealed before cover
2Service inspection only if the install includes a panel/service upgrade
3Final inspection with the EVSE installed, energized, and tested

Licensing — who can pull it

EV-charger installations in California are generally performed by a C-10 (Electrical) licensed contractor; a B (General Building) contractor may pull within a larger project under CSLB rules. The licensed contractor doing the work typically pulls the permit.

Other verified Palo Alto notes

Development Center hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, Friday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM virtual only, closed 12:30–1:30 PM; (650) 329-2496 (option 1 for a Building Project Coordinator) · building@paloalto.gov.
verified Aug 10, 2026 · source
All documents upload through the ACA portal and all payments are made in the portal — the city does not accept payments through third-party applications. A dedicated Project Coordinator is assigned to each application; first response within 2–3 business days.
verified Aug 10, 2026 · source
Some minor projects qualify for an instant building permit (e.g. the Heat Pump Space Conditioning Systems Instant Permit), and a new Over-The-Counter Residential MEP Permit Pilot Program covers qualifying residential mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits.
verified Aug 10, 2026 · source

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for a Level 2 home EV charger in California?

Generally yes. A hardwired Level 2 EVSE adds a dedicated 240V circuit and is treated as new electrical work — California cities almost universally require a permit. State law (SB 1222) further requires expedited, often online, residential EV-charger permitting.

What about a plug-in Level 2 charger on an existing 240V outlet?

If the 240V receptacle is existing, properly rated for the load, and installed under the original permit, plugging in a portable EVSE usually doesn't trigger a new permit. Installing a new 240V receptacle for that purpose does — that is a new branch circuit.

Will I need a panel upgrade?

It depends on the load calculation. Many homes — especially older ones with 100A service — exceed capacity once an EV charger is added. Load-management devices (EVEMS) can sometimes avoid a panel upgrade by limiting EV draw when the rest of the house is using power.

Can the homeowner pull the permit?

California allows homeowners to perform certain work on their own primary residence, but the work must still meet code and be inspected. getPermit is built for licensed contractors — for owner-pulled permits, contact the city directly.

Other jobs in Palo Alto

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