Electric vehicle charging installations are growing fast, and the permit process for them is still catching up in many jurisdictions. The requirements for an EV charging permit package vary more than most installers expect: from a simple one-page drawing at some residential AHJs to a complete PE-stamped electrical plan set with load calculations, conduit layouts, and service panel documentation at others.
Knowing what a complete EV charging permit package looks like before you start drawing saves the correction cycles that slow installations down. Our permit design services cover EV charging engineering for residential, commercial, and fleet charging installations in all 50 states.
The Three Levels of EV Charging and How They Affect Permitting
Level 1 (120V AC)
Level 1 charging uses a standard 120-volt outlet. No dedicated circuit or new electrical infrastructure is typically required, and in most jurisdictions, no permit is required for a standard outlet installation. If a new circuit is added for a dedicated Level 1 outlet, a standard electrical permit may be required, but engineering documentation is rarely needed.
Level 2 (240V AC)
Level 2 charging requires a 240-volt, 40- to 80-amp dedicated circuit and an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) unit. This is the most common EV charging installation for residential and light commercial applications. Most jurisdictions require a building or electrical permit for Level 2 installations. The documentation required ranges from a simple single-line diagram to a full electrical plan set depending on the jurisdiction and the installation complexity.
DC Fast Charging (Level 3)
DC fast charging operates at much higher power levels (50 to 350 kW per charger) and requires three-phase electrical service, significant conduit infrastructure, and often a transformer or service upgrade. These installations require a full commercial electrical permit package in virtually every jurisdiction, and PE stamps on the electrical documents are standard.
What Every EV Charging Permit Package Needs
Site plan
The site plan shows the location of the charger(s) relative to the building, the electrical service entrance, and any existing electrical infrastructure. For commercial installations with multiple chargers, the site plan identifies charging station locations, accessible route paths, ADA-compliant parking stall dimensions, and conduit routing from the service to each unit.
Single-line diagram
The single-line diagram (SLD) is the electrical backbone of the permit package. It shows the complete electrical path from the service entrance through the panel, through the overcurrent protection, through the conduit run, and to each EVSE unit. The SLD must show equipment ratings, conductor sizes, conduit types, and the EVSE make and model.
Load calculations
The permit package must include load calculations demonstrating that the existing service panel can accommodate the added EV charging load, or documenting the service upgrade required if it cannot. EV charging load calculations follow NEC Article 625, which establishes the continuous load factor for EVSE circuits. Commercial installations with multiple chargers may use demand factor calculations to reduce the calculated load for service sizing purposes.
Conduit and wiring plan
The conduit and wiring plan shows the routing from the panel to each EVSE unit, including conduit sizes, wire sizes, junction boxes, pull boxes, and any conduit bodies required by NEC fill calculations. For commercial installations with underground conduit, the plan shows burial depths, materials, and any conflicts with other utilities.
Panel schedule update
The existing panel schedule must be updated to show the new circuit breakers added for the EVSE circuits. If the panel does not have capacity for the additional circuits, the permit package must document the panel upgrade or service expansion required.
Equipment specifications
Each EVSE unit specified in the plan set must be listed by a recognized testing laboratory (UL 2594 is the listing standard for EV charging equipment). The permit package should include cut sheets for the EVSE units and for any major electrical components such as breakers, disconnects, or distribution panels that are new to the installation.
When a PE Stamp Is Required
PE stamp requirements for EV charging permits vary by jurisdiction. Most residential Level 2 installations do not require a PE stamp. Most commercial installations above a certain system size or complexity do, particularly if the installation involves a service upgrade, three-phase power, or new conduit infrastructure. When a PE stamp is required, a licensed electrical engineer must review and certify the design. For more context on when PE stamps are required on engineering documents, see our post on PE stamps for engineering projects.
ADA Compliance and Accessible Charging
Commercial EV charging installations must comply with ADA accessibility requirements. This includes parking stall dimensions for accessible EV charging spaces, the accessible route from the parking space to the building, and charger mounting height requirements for the EVSE unit controls. ADA compliance documentation is typically reviewed as part of the building permit rather than the electrical permit, but it must be addressed in the site plan and architectural documents that accompany the electrical package.
The number of accessible EV charging spaces required depends on the total number of spaces provided. For most commercial installations, at least one accessible EV charging space is required, with additional accessible spaces required as the total count increases.
Utility Coordination for Commercial Installations
Commercial EV charging installations that require a service upgrade or new transformer must coordinate with the serving utility before construction begins. Utility review timelines for commercial service upgrades vary widely, from two weeks to six months or more depending on the utility and the scope of the upgrade. Starting utility coordination at the same time as the permit application prevents the utility review from becoming the longest item on the project timeline.
For DC fast charging installations, the utility may require a separate study to evaluate the impact of the new high-power load on the distribution system. This impact study adds time and cost to the project that should be budgeted before the installation is confirmed.
Right Angle Engineering and EV Charging Projects
Right Angle Engineering produces PE-stamped electrical engineering for EV charging installations from single residential chargers to multi-station commercial and fleet charging facilities. Our team handles load calculations, single-line diagrams, conduit layouts, and utility coordination support in all 50 states. Review our EV charging engineering services or start a project with our team to get your permit package underway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Level 2 EV charger installation require a permit?
In most jurisdictions, yes. Adding a 240-volt dedicated circuit for a Level 2 EVSE requires an electrical permit. The documentation required ranges from a simple single-line diagram for residential installations to a full electrical plan set for commercial projects.
What NEC article governs EV charging installations?
NEC Article 625 covers electric vehicle charging systems. It establishes requirements for EVSE listing, circuit sizing, continuous load factors, disconnecting means, ventilation, and outdoor installation requirements. Additional NEC articles cover service sizing (Article 230), overcurrent protection (Article 240), and wiring methods.
How is EV charging load calculated for service sizing?
EV charging circuits are treated as continuous loads under NEC Article 625. The continuous load factor (125% of the circuit ampere rating) is applied when sizing the branch circuit and the service. For commercial installations with multiple chargers, demand factor calculations may be applied to reduce the calculated load for service sizing.
What is EVSE listing and why does it matter for permits?
EVSE listing means the equipment has been tested and certified by a recognized testing laboratory such as UL, ETL, or CSA. Listing is required by NEC Article 625 and confirmed by AHJs during permit review. Non-listed EVSE equipment cannot be legally installed under a building permit.
Do EV charger permits require PE stamps?
Requirements vary by jurisdiction and installation complexity. Most residential Level 2 installations do not require PE stamps. Commercial installations, three-phase installations, service upgrades, and DC fast charging projects typically require PE-stamped electrical documents.
References
National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 70: National Electrical Code, Articles 230, 240, and 625.
U.S. Department of Energy. Alternative Fuels Station Locator and Permitting Resources.
U.S. Access Board. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Accessibility Guidelines.