No Utility Upgrades Required: Designated, Bi-directional L2 Charging for Multi-Family Housing Units in Disadvantaged and Low-Income Communities
Summary
SCH Number
2025100554
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
No Utility Upgrades Required: Designated, Bi-directional L2 Charging for Multi-Family Housing Units in Disadvantaged and Low-Income Communities
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/13/2025
Document Description
The objective of this project is to install at least 400 Level 2 charging ports at multifamily housing communities throughout California.
Contact Information
Name
Jeff Fletcher
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
ECS II
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Cities
Berkeley, Burlingame, Campbell, El Sobrante, Los Angeles, Oakland, Richmond, San Diego, San Pablo
Counties
Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Clara
Regions
Statewide
Other Information
The EVSE will be installed in existing parking lots or existing parking structures.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15301, 15303 and 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15301 provides that projects which consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, and which involve negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination, are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. This project involves installation of at least 400 Level 2 (L2) charging ports at existing sites/structures. All L2 charging ports will either be installed in existing parking lots or parking structures at multi-family housing properties that already have electrical infrastructure. The L2 charging ports have an approximate size of (10" x 7" x 18”) and associated electronics have an approximate size of (10” x 9” x 18”). This project involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use of the sites. Therefore, the project falls within section 15301 and will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15303 provides that projects which consist of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure, are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. The proposed project will install L2 charging ports at existing multi-family housing properties that require minimal construction and/or trenching. At least 400 L2 charging ports with an approximate size (10" x 7" x 18”) and associated electronics with an approximate size of (10” x 9” x 18”) will be installed at multi-family housing properties. Installation will take place at an existing building in an existing parking lot that already has electrical infrastructure. Therefore, the project falls within section 15303 and will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15304 provides that projects which consist of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. This project involves installation of at least 400 L2 charging ports at existing multi-family housing properties. The L2 charging port installations will be in existing, paved parking lots and structures, and the work will not involve the removal of any trees. Therefore, the project falls within section 15304 and will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Additionally, the project will not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern where designated, precisely mapped, and officially adopted pursuant to law by federal, state, or local agencies; does not involve any cumulative impacts of successive projects of the same type in the same place that might be considered significant; does not involve unusual circumstances that might have a significant effect on the environment; will not result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway; the project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5; and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. Therefore, none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project, and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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