Power from BWP
Adding a charger to a Burbank home with BWP power
Burbank homes run on Burbank Water and Power, not SCE, so the rate, the rebate and the service-upgrade steps all come from BWP. The city handles the permit.
Keep the permit paperwork
BWP’s charger rebate is tied to the permit. The claim goes in with the finaled permit documents, and BWP’s permit page says so, so the charger has to be permitted and inspected like any other job. A tenant can claim with the owner’s permission. Ask the electrician to hand over the signed-off permit records when the work is done, and keep them with the charger receipt. The utility rebate guide compares Burbank with Pasadena and Glendale.
BWP also describes a Tier 1 permit with no plan check for rebate-eligible electrification work. A charger may or may not qualify, so ask at the counter which route applies.
What to confirm on the checklist
Burbank has a written expedited charger checklist, so ask for the current version at the counter. The questions to bring: does a garage-wall mount avoid the site plan, does a larger circuit add an equipment disconnect, and does Planning need to sign off. A 48 amp charger needs a 60 amp breaker, so the larger-circuit question matters for the bigger units. If the service is also growing, the checklist points to a BWP meter spot before submittal. The Burbank panel page covers that step.
Small services and the load check
Half of Burbank homes were built before 1960, and the median year is 1959. Many bungalows still run a small service, and multi-unit buildings add shared panels. A load calculation decides whether the panel can take a charger. Typical SoCal range with room to spare is $1,000 to $2,000. If the panel must be upgraded, the pair costs $3,600 to $7,500, per the cost page.
Rate, heat and shared parking
BWP offers an optional time-of-use rate for people who charge at home, and it applies to the whole account. Summers in climate zone 9 push daytime load up, so overnight charging fits the grid and the house panel. Fewer than half of Burbank homes are owner-occupied, so many drivers rent. Condo owners are covered by Civil Code 4745, which voids rules that effectively prohibit a charger, and sets a 60-day clock for the association to answer. The HOA and condo page goes through it, and the time-of-use guide covers rate basics.
Charger permit path
Burbank uses a written EV charger permit checklist (2022 form on the city site): the checklist plus the permit application, a site plan for single-family installs other than on the interior garage wall, Planning Division sign-off, a BWP meter spot before submittal if a service upgrade is needed, and an equipment disconnect for branch circuits of 60 A or more.
Permit lines that can apply
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Electrical permit issuing fee | $77.52 per application |
| Electric vehicle charger, permit fee | $255.92 each |
| Electric vehicle charger, plan check fee | $287.78 each |
City of Burbank Community Development, Building & Safety Division. Confirm the current amount at the counter.
Rebates that match this job
| Program | Amount |
|---|---|
| BWP Residential EV Charging Station Rebate BWP residential customers and tenants with owner permission; up to two chargers | Standard charger $200, smart charger $500; panel upgrade adds $750 (cannot be claimed alone), up to $1,250. Disadvantaged-community addresses: $300 standard, $600 smart, panel $900, up to $1,500. Requires proof of permit and passed inspection; processing 4 to 6 weeks |
Questions people ask
When is BWP power cheapest for charging?
BWP's optional time-of-use rate for EV and plug-in hybrid owners suggests charging between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. for the lowest cost. The rate covers every kilowatt-hour on the account, not just the car. Prices change, so read BWP's current rate page and compare it with the standard rate on a recent bill before enrolling.
Does Burbank need a site plan for a garage charger?
It depends on where the charger goes. The city's expedited charger checklist has asked for a site plan unless the unit is on an interior garage wall. Confirm the current rules with Building and Safety at (818) 238-5220 before the electrician draws anything, since the form posted by the city is the 2022 version.
Do SCE rebate programs apply in Burbank?
No. Burbank is served by BWP, so SCE programs, including its charger and battery rebates, do not apply. BWP has its own charger rebate and its own rates. When you read a rebate article, check which utility it names before assuming it covers a Burbank address.
I rent in Burbank. Can my landlord say no to a charger?
Usually not outright. Civil Code 1947.6 says a landlord shall approve a written request to install a charger at the tenant's assigned space, for leases signed or renewed after July 1, 2015, if the tenant agrees to its conditions, such as paying costs and carrying liability coverage. Put the request in writing.
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