The EV Charge Point Operator's Guide to Faster Permitting

The electric vehicle (EV) boom is here, but charger deployment is still stuck waiting on approvals.

Demand is high: global EV sales are growing nearly 30% year over year and U.S. investment in EV manufacturing tops $300 billion. But permitting EV chargers continues to be a major bottleneck to deployment, causing major delays to construction and deployment.

Delayed EV infrastructure carry immediate, quantifiable costs like delayed revenue, missed utility incentives, and increased construction costs. It also leads to deeper consequences for the environment, where keeping up with the demand of EV adoption is critical for reducing emissions.

For commercial charge point operators (CPOs), fast, predictable deployment depends on being well-prepared and strategic from the start.

A single snag, whether that’s a missed checklist item, a misunderstood ADA requirement, or a delayed utility review, can unravel an entire deployment timeline. And when you’re managing dozens or even hundreds of sites, these challenges compound quickly.

Common challenges facing EV charger permitting

Before seeking solutions, it’s critical to understand where permitting tends to break down. Here are the most common issues CPOs run into:

Zoning

EV chargers often don’t fit neatly into existing zoning categories. Mixed-use sites can be especially difficult, triggering extra reviews like traffic studies or noise impact evaluations. Parking requirements also create friction, as they’re often tied to outdated models that don’t adequately account for the time vehicles need to stay at charging stations.

Utility coordination

Whether you're installing a few Level 2 chargers or planning a complete fast-charging hub, utility coordination is a critical piece of the puzzle. Once you reach a certain number of chargers—or higher-capacity units—your site's electrical load may trigger upgrades like new service panels or transformers. These changes fall under utility timelines, which are typically lengthy and out of your control. So even if your site is shovel-ready, the power might not be.

Environmental reviews

Depending on the site, you may need environmental reviews like stormwater assessments or tree removal studies. These reviews often introduce unexpected delays and costs, especially when requirements vary by jurisdiction. Without a clear process to manage these workflows, it’s easy for additional steps to slip through the cracks and stall your timeline.

For CPOs, you’re often managing dozens, sometimes hundreds, of sites simultaneously. The reality is that delays often stem from avoidable issues like outdated checklists or unclear ADA rules. And with landlords, utilities, and jurisdictions all moving at their own pace, workflows become fragmented and reactive. The longer permitting drags on, the more hours your team burns—and the longer your chargers sit idle.

The Four Types of Jurisdictions EV CPOs Should Know

Understanding what kind of permitting environment you’re dealing with can shape your initial strategy. Some agencies are eager to permit EV infrastructure but lack experience; others have clearly defined, yet outdated processes. Knowing this context helps you tailor your approach before making your first submission.

Here are four permitting archetypes CPOs will frequently encounter:

1. The first-timer

This agency has never permitted an EV charger and the staff is unfamiliar with the equipment or how to classify the project. You’ll want to support them with clear documentation and examples from other jurisdictions.

Tips:

• Bring annotated site plans with labeled equipment and layperson-friendly summaries
• Share precedent permit sets or approval letters from nearby cities
• Be ready to educate: include code references or utility specs to explain your approach
• Offer to schedule a walkthrough or meeting to address questions early

2. The bureaucratic labyrinth

This jurisdiction has a well-oiled permitting process: staff follows strict interpretations and may require multi-department sign offs. You’ll need proactive coordination and strong relationships to keep things moving.

Tips:

• Identify every department involved (zoning, fire, utilities) and map the dependencies
• Call ahead to confirm documentation requirements and submission timelines
• Track responses across departments in a centralized log or dashboard
• Build relationships with internal champions who can help flag bottlenecks

3. The progressive planner

An ideal jurisdiction, the team here recognizes the importance of EV infrastructure and have taken steps to streamline it. They may have pre-reviewed design templates, fast-track reviews, or EV-specific permitting guides.

Tips:

• Use their templates or checklists exactly as provided
• Ask about batch submittals if deploying at multiple sites in the same jurisdiction
• Follow naming conventions and submittal formats to stay in good standing
• Provide clear, concise documents to make approvals easy

4. The underwater reviewer

These are often tiny team juggling dozens of responsibilities. When agencies are at capacity, long email delays and overlooked updates are common. Focus on making their job easier and follow up thoughtfully, not aggressively.

Tips:

• Use cover memos to summarize what’s included and any changes since the last submittal
• Bundle documents logically with descriptive filenames (e.g. “Electrical-Plan-Sheet-E1.pdf”)
• Set calendar reminders to follow up every 5–7 business days with polite, actionable nudges
• Offer to clarify or resend documents if there’s no response

Checklist to get ahead of EV charger permitting

Tailor your strategy to the permitting context you’re entering. Start with this checklist:

1. Ask due diligence questions before committing to a site

Early due diligence can help avoid costly redesigns, construction delays, and scope changes down the line. Before committing capital or diving into design, ask these site is even viable from a permitting.

Questions to ask:

• "How is the site currently zoned?"
  • Look out for outdated zoning codes that may not align with modern EV use
• "Have similar EV charging projects been permitted in this jurisdiction before? If so, what were the requirements and timelines? Are there specific checklists?"
  • Look out for no history of EV permitting
• "Is the site within a floodplain, historic district, or other overlay zone that adds permitting complexity?"
  • Flag sites that are near schools, wetlands, or other sensitive-use areas that could trigger stricter reviews
• "Is the property governed by an HOA or other private stakeholder group that might impose separate approvals?"
  • Be sure to note sites that cross jurisdictional boundaries (e.g. city/county lines)

2. Engage local jurisdictions early

The best time to start working with planning departments is during early design. AHJs can help you interpret local code, surface checklists, and share insights from recent projects.

Early engagement also builds goodwill. When you bring thoughtful questions and a clear understanding of your project, you set the tone for a collaborative process.

Documents to prepare:

• Preliminary site plans with charger placement, access paths, parking stall counts, signage, and conduit routing
• Electrical load estimates
• Site photos
• Sample submittals from other jurisdictions (especially if this is a first-time EV project for them)
• A summary of your project goals, such as: number of ports, charging speed, and desired timeline

Questions to ask during early engagement:

• Is there a specific EV permitting checklist or past examples?
• What documentation or drawings are required for initial review?
• Are there any local design standards for EV charger layout, signage, or accessibility?
• What are typical triggers for public hearings or additional approvals?
• Are there requirements not listed on official checklists?
• How should utility coordination be documented during permitting?

3. Coordinate with utilities as soon as possible

Utility coordination is often the longest lead-time item in the permitting process, so start early.  During site selection, approach utilities proactively and with the right information in hand to set the stage for a smoother design process and a more realistic project timeline.

Thing to have ready:

• Site layout, including charger quantity and locations
• Total estimated site power demand (including any future expansion plans)
• Timeline expectations (e.g. when you will need power)

Questions to ask utility providers:

• What is the available power capacity?
  • Note capacity constraints or required upgrades that could delay your project
• Are transformer upgrades or new service panels likely to be required?
• What are typical lead times for installation?
  • Flag unclear timelines or open-ended answers, and press for actual time estimates rather than simply process overviews
• What is the process for service upgrades, review, and approvals?
• Who are the main contacts?

Strategies to navigate power capacity:

• Consider whether a phased deployment, on-site battery storage, or solar panels could reduce your grid dependency.
• In some cases, mobile or temporary charging can bridge the gap while you wait for full utility upgrades.

4. Clarify internal and external roles

Permitting touches every stakeholder on a project, from the developer to the designer to the contractor. Without clearly defined roles and responsibilities, delays are inevitable.

Identify and document responsibilites:

• Who’s in charge of zoning research
• Who maintains the jurisdiction relationship
• Who’s tracking permit submittal timelines and dependencies

5. Standardize what you can

Every jurisdiction may be different, but that doesn’t mean every process has to start from scratch. Look for opportunities to standardize your approach to common permitting elements—whether that be ADA compliance, site signage, or traffic flow.

Build your permitting playbook:

• Document what’s worked in specific jurisdictions
• Capture common mistakes and how to avoid them
• Reuse proven templates to accelerate new projects and avoid starting from zero

Work smarter across projects with Pulley

Pulley gives CPOs the tools and expert support to accelerate deployment and reduce permitting delays. We combine easy-to-use software with hands-on permitting expertise so you can manage every project with confidence.

Our platform brings clarity and control to complex permitting workflows, so your team can focus on execution—not chasing updates.

• Track every site in one place: Get real-time visibility into permitting status across your portfolio. Spot delays early and reallocate resources before timelines slip.
• Assign clear ownership: Define roles across internal teams and external partners. Set due dates, assign tasks, and ensure follow-through without micromanaging.
• Centralize documents: Upload and manage all permitting documentation in one place. Avoid rework, reduce back-and-forth, and streamline submissions.
• Standardize what works: Build repeatable workflows and templates.

Experts who know the process

Permitting challenges vary by site, jurisdiction, and utility, but Pulley’s team has seen it all. Our experts plug into your projects and help guide you through the complexity.

• Local permitting specialists: Tap into regional experts who understand local code, zoning requirements, and what jurisdictions actually expect in a successful submission.
• Hands-on support: We help coordinate across utilities, landlords, contractors, and cities—connecting the dots so nothing falls through the cracks.
• Proactive issue spotting: Avoid preventable delays. We flag missing documentation, spot process snags, and help resolve blockers before they derail your schedule.

Your competitive edge is getting ahead

Permitting may be one of the biggest variables in EV charger infrastructure, but it’s not out of your control. By starting the permitting process early, you can prevent delays, protect budgets, and move with confidence.

The best CPOs use permitting as a lever to outpace competition. Pulley is here to help you do just that. Interested in learning more? Let's talk.

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