Do You Need a Permit to Install an EV Charger in Long Beach, CA?
- Do You Need a Permit to Install an EV Charger in Long Beach, CA?
- Level 1 vs. Level 2 — Does It Matter for Permits?
- Long Beach Has an Expedited Permit Process
- What Makes an Installation "Simple" vs. Complex?
- Does Your Panel Need to Be Upgraded First?
- What About Incentives and Rebates?
- What About Renters and HOA Properties?
- Why You Should Always Use a Licensed Electrician for EV Charger Installation
- Ready to Install Your EV Charger in Long Beach?
If you just bought an electric vehicle — or you’re about to — installing a home charger is one of the first things on your list. And one of the first questions you’ll run into is whether you need a permit to do it.
The short answer is: yes, for a Level 2 charger you do. But the good news is that Long Beach has made the process faster and simpler than most cities in California. Here’s exactly what you need to know.
Level 1 vs. Level 2 — Does It Matter for Permits?
Yes, it matters a lot.
Level 1 charging (120V standard outlet) — If you’re simply plugging your EV into an existing standard outlet, no permit is required. You’re not doing any new electrical work. The tradeoff is speed — Level 1 adds roughly 4–5 miles of range per hour, which works for some drivers but is too slow for anyone with a longer daily commute or a larger battery.
Level 2 charging (240V dedicated circuit) — This is what most EV owners want, and it’s what requires a permit. Level 2 EV charger installations require an electrical permit whether the charger is hardwired or installed via a new NEMA 14-50 outlet. Level 2 charges 4–6 times faster than Level 1 and is the standard choice for daily drivers.
Long Beach Has an Expedited Permit Process
Here’s the good news. The City of Long Beach has established an expedited and streamlined permitting process for EV charging stations under Long Beach Municipal Code Chapter 18.76. This was specifically designed to make home EV charger installations faster and less expensive for residents.
Simple EV charger installations for one or two units at single-family or multi-family homes may qualify for the Express Permit Service, where a permit can be issued the same day as your scheduled visit to the Permit Center.
In practice, this means a straightforward residential Level 2 charger installation with a qualified electrician can be permitted quickly — often in a single business day for simple setups — rather than going through a lengthy plan review process.
What Makes an Installation “Simple” vs. Complex?
The City of Long Beach uses specific checklists to determine whether your installation qualifies for the faster Express Permit path. Generally speaking, a simple installation means:
If your home needs a panel upgrade to support the new circuit, or if the installation involves more complex wiring, it goes through a standard plan review rather than the express process. This adds time but it’s still straightforward when handled by a licensed electrician who knows the process.
Does Your Panel Need to Be Upgraded First?
This is the most common complication in EV charger installations, especially in older Long Beach homes.
A Level 2 charger typically requires a dedicated 50-amp, 240V circuit. If your home has a 100-amp panel that’s already near capacity — which is common in homes built before the 1990s — there may not be room to add that circuit safely without upgrading the panel first.
An electrician will assess your panel’s current load before the install and let you know upfront whether an upgrade is needed. At Karmic Electrical, if a panel upgrade is required alongside the EV charger installation, the combined cost typically runs $7,200 – $12,000. If your panel already has capacity, the Level 2 charger installation alone runs $2,400 – $3,800.
What About Incentives and Rebates?
Long Beach EV charger installations come with some meaningful financial incentives worth knowing about:
Federal tax credit — A federal EV charger tax credit covers 30% of eligible installation costs up to $1,000 and is currently set to expire on June 30, 2026. If you’re planning to install a charger, doing it before that deadline could save you money.
SCE rebates — Southern California Edison offers rebates for qualifying EV charger installations. Your licensed electrician should be able to confirm which rebates apply to your specific situation at the time of installation.
Replace Your Ride program — The Replace Your Ride program through the South Coast AQMD provides up to $12,000 toward a new or used EV plus $2,000 for charging equipment for income-eligible residents who scrap an older vehicle.
All of these incentive programs require proof of a finalized permit — which is another reason not to skip the permitting process.
What About Renters and HOA Properties?
Two situations that come up frequently in Long Beach:
Renters — If you rent your home or apartment, you’ll need written permission from your landlord before installing a charger. California law does provide some protections for tenants requesting EV charger installations, but you still need to go through the proper channels.
HOA properties — California’s Right to Charge Law prevents HOAs from outright refusing EV charger installation requests that meet property criteria. An HOA can set reasonable rules about placement and aesthetics, but they generally cannot block you from installing a charger in your own designated parking space.
Why You Should Always Use a Licensed Electrician for EV Charger Installation
Pulling the permit yourself as a homeowner is technically allowed in some cases, but the inspection process and code requirements are detailed enough that most homeowners are better off having their electrician handle it.
A licensed C-10 electrician will handle the permit application, coordinate the City of Long Beach inspection, ensure the installation meets NEC 2023 and California Electrical Code requirements, and provide documentation you’ll need for any rebate applications.
Unpermitted EV charger installations can void your homeowner’s insurance coverage for related incidents, create problems when you sell your home, and disqualify you from rebate programs.
Ready to Install Your EV Charger in Long Beach?
At Karmic Electrical, we handle the entire process — permit application, installation, inspection coordination, and rebate documentation. Our service call is $249 for the first hour, and for EV charger projects we provide free written estimates with three clear options so you know exactly what you’re getting before we start.
Ready to schedule? Book directly online or call us at (562) 708-7673. Karmic Electrical serves Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, Seal Beach, Torrance, Huntington Beach, Carson, and Cerritos.