Power from PWP
Installing a home EV charger in Pasadena
Pasadena Water and Power, not SCE, is the utility for a charger here. Plan around the permit, an inspection queue that still feels the Eaton Fire, and an older panel that may not have room.
Pasadena runs its own utility
Pasadena Water and Power is the city’s own electric utility, so SCE rules and the SCE rate plans you see in ads do not apply. Ask any bidder if they have worked with PWP before, and who requests any service change. The charger itself needs a city electrical permit, and the AB 1236 guide explains the state rule that keeps that review streamlined. Check the city utility rebate guide and the table below for what PWP offers, then confirm current terms with PWP before you buy a unit, since the order of permit, install and inspection can matter.
Inspection timing after the Eaton Fire
The Building and Safety Division said after the January 2025 windstorm and fire that it was still handling emergency response, and that inspections might be delayed. Book the inspection in the portal the day the electrician finishes, and ask the electrician what they have seen lately. If a rebate depends on a finished permit, a slow inspection also slows the money.
Will the panel handle it?
The median Pasadena home was built in 1961, and about half were built before 1960. Older houses often have a 60 to 100 amp service or a fuse panel, and a charger plus an electric water heater can use up what is left. A load calculation tells you before you buy. The typical SoCal range for a charger on a panel with room is $1,000 to $2,000, and $3,600 to $7,500 with panel work, per the cost page. If the panel has to change, the Pasadena panel page explains what to ask.
Zone 9 summers are hot and long, and the air conditioner uses the same service the charger will, so list it in the load calculation.
Garage, landmark district and rentals
Bungalow Heaven is a landmark district, and exterior work on a street-facing wall may need review first. Keeping the charger inside the garage avoids most of that. Renters and condo owners have rights under state law, and the HOA and condo page lists the steps. Send any request in writing.
Charger permit path
PWP's rebate terms require a City of Pasadena electrical permit for a hard-wired charger or a new or modified 240 V socket. California AB 1236 requires an expedited, streamlined EV charger permit process, so expect a checklist-based over-the-counter or online review.
Permit lines that can apply
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Permit processing fee, electrical (MPE) | $78.00 |
| EV charger, single-family residence | $43.00 |
| Fixtures, outlets or switches, first 10 | $28.00 |
City of Pasadena Planning & Community Development, Building and Safety Division (Permit Center). Confirm the current amount at the counter.
Rebates that match this job
| Program | Amount |
|---|---|
| PWP Electric Panel Upgrade Rebate PWP residential customers in existing homes; upgrade to 200 A or larger with dedicated 240 V, 30 A circuits for a Level 2 charger and an electric water heater, and a newly installed charger or electric water heater | $1,000, plus $500 more if enrolled in PWP income-qualified bill assistance; apply within 180 days of final permit approval |
| PWP Residential EV Charger Incentive PWP customers with a hard-wired Level 2 charger or new 240 V outlet permitted by Pasadena Building and Safety; two chargers per address | $600 for a Wi-Fi connected Level 2, $200 for a standard Level 2 |
Questions people ask
Will the Eaton Fire backlog delay my charger inspection?
It may. The Building and Safety page said after the January 2025 windstorm and fire that inspection delays may occur while the division handles emergency response. Inspections are scheduled online through the permit portal. Build a few extra days into your plan and book as soon as the work is done.
Can I put a charger on the front of a Bungalow Heaven house?
Check first. Bungalow Heaven is a city landmark district, and a new meter panel or exterior conduit on a street-visible wall may need design review before the electrical permit. A charger inside the garage usually avoids this. Ask the city's Planning staff before you plan any exterior run.
Can my landlord refuse a charger at my Pasadena apartment?
Often not. Civil Code 1947.6 says a landlord must approve a tenant's written request for a charger at the tenant's assigned space, if the lease is covered and the tenant follows the landlord's process and pays the costs. It does not apply with fewer than five parking spaces or when parking is not in the lease.
Will Pasadena shut off power in high winds, and what happens to my charger?
PWP's 2025 wildfire plan says it does not currently intend to shut off power ahead of wind events, though it keeps the right to and planned a feasibility study. During any outage the charger does not run, so keep a full charge before red flag days in the foothills. Check PWP's notices for changes.
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