Effective January 1, 2026, California raised EV charging requirements significantly for commercial and multifamily properties. Here's exactly what applies — and how to comply cost-efficiently.
The 2025 CALGreen code (Chapter 5) applies to retail centers, office parks, hotels, shopping malls, grocery-anchored properties, and all other non-residential buildings. These have the most aggressive requirements in the code.
One DC fast charger (DCFC) counts as five compliant spaces under California state law. This rule applies statewide to all commercial properties and reduces both your installed charger count and eliminates the need to run conduit to individual stalls.
The installation of each DCFC EVSE is permitted to reduce the minimum number of required EV capable spaces without EVSE by five, and reduce proportionally the required electrical load capacity.
| Parking Spaces | EV-Capable Spaces Required | Other Commercial (EVCS) | Retail & Office (EVCS) | Ivora DC Solution (Retail) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 10–25 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 DC + 1 L2 |
| 26–50 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 2 DC + 1 L2 |
| 51–75 | 13 | 6 | 8 | 2 DC + 1 L2 |
| 76–100 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 3 DC + 1 L2 |
| 101–150 | 25 | 12 | 19 | 4 DC + 1 L2 |
| 151–200 | 35 | 18 | 26 | 6 DC + 1 L2 |
| 200+ | 20% of spaces | 50% of EV-capable | 75% of EV-capable | Contact us |
* Ivora DC solution uses the § 5.106.5.3.2.3 DCFC substitution rule (1 DCFC = 5 spaces). At least 1 Level 2 EVSE required on every site per § 5.106.5.3.2.
Any parking lot renovation on an existing commercial property — resurfacing, restriping, adding spaces, or structural changes — immediately triggers the full CALGreen EV compliance requirement. This is not just for new construction. If you're planning any parking work this year, compliance is required.
Multifamily buildings (5+ units) and hotels fall under CALGreen Chapter 4. These requirements are separate from commercial and use different rules.
| Parking Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Assigned spaces | 100% Level 2 receptacle per space |
| Common / unassigned | 1 receptacle per dwelling unit |
| Additional common spaces | 25% must have installed L2 charger |
Note: DCFC qualifies as an installed EVCS for the 25% common area requirement, but does not substitute for assigned-space Level 2 receptacles under base state code.
| Requirement | Percentage |
|---|---|
| EV-ready receptacles | 40% of spaces |
| Installed L2 chargers | 25% of spaces |
| Total EV provision | 65% of all spaces |
Several Bay Area cities have adopted local amendments that extend the DCFC substitution rule to multifamily residential: San Mateo, Livermore, Half Moon Bay, Gilroy, and Fairfax. In these jurisdictions, one DCFC may substitute for up to five EVCS to meet § 4.106.4.2 requirements. Verify with your local AHJ before relying on this interpretation.
We run the compliance math for your property, select the right product mix, handle all permitting and installation, and structure everything as a revenue share — so you get compliant with zero upfront cost.
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