§ 7-270

This article applies to the permitting of all small residential rooftop solar energy systems in the city. Small residential rooftop solar energy systems legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of this chapter are not subject to the requirements of this chapter unless physical modifications or alterations are undertaken that materially change the size, type, or components of a small rooftop energy system in such a way as to require new permitting. Routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements shall not require a permit.

(Ord. No. 2280, § 1, 8-8-15)

(a)

All solar energy systems shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by the city and the State of California.

(b)

Solar energy systems for heating water in single-family residences and for heating water in commercial or swimming pool applications shall be certified by an accredited listing agency as defined by the California Plumbing and Mechanical Code.

(c)

Solar energy systems for producing electricity shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by the California Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories and, where applicable, rules of the public utilities commission regarding safety and reliability.

(Ord. No. 2280, § 1, 8-8-15)

Sec. 7-270.5. - Duties of building department and building official.

(a)

All documents required for the submission of an expedited small residential rooftop solar energy system application shall be made available on the city's publicly accessible website.

(b)

Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents via email, the city's website, or facsimile shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.

(c)

An applicant's electronic signature shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature.

(d)

The building department shall adopt a standard plan and checklist of all requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply with to be eligible for expedited review.

(e)

The small residential rooftop solar system permit process, standard plans, and checklist shall substantially conform to the recommendations for expedited permitting, including the checklist and standard contained

in the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook adopted by the governor's office of planning and research.

(f)

All fees prescribed for the permitting of small residential rooftop solar energy systems must comply with Government Code sections 65850.55 and 66015 and Health and Safety Code section 17951.

(Ord. No. 2280, § 1, 8-8-15)

Sec. 7-270.6. - Expedited permit review and inspection requirements.

(a)

The building department shall adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite the approval of small residential rooftop solar energy system applications within thirty (30) days of adoption of this article. For an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, the building department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit in a timely manner and no later than five (5) working days from the day of submittal. A building official may require an applicant to apply for a use permit if the official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety. Such decisions may be appealed pursuant to the procedures outlined in section 7-18.8 of this Code.

(b)

Review of the application shall be limited to the building official's review of whether the applicant meets local, state and federal health and safety requirements.

(c)

If a use permit is required, a building official may deny an application for the use permit if the official makes written findings based upon substantive evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. Such findings shall include the basis for the rejection of the potential feasible alternative for preventing the adverse impact. Such decisions may be appealed pursuant to procedures outlined in section 7-18.8 of this Code.

(d)

Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost. The city shall use its best efforts to ensure that the selected method, condition, or mitigation meets the conditions of Civil Code section 714(d)(1)(A)-(B).

(e)

The city shall not condition the approval of an application on the approval of an association as defined in Civil Code section 4080.

(f)

If an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system is deemed incomplete, a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permitting shall be sent to the applicant for resubmission.

(g)

Only one (1) inspection shall be required and performed by the building department for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.

(h)

The inspection shall be done in a timely manner and should include consolidated inspections. An inspection will be scheduled within two (2) business days of a request and will provide the applicant with a two-hour inspection window.

(i)

If the small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, subsequent inspection(s) is/are authorized and reinspection fees may be assessed if the installation repeatedly fails to meet the safety standards of the building and electrical codes or if access to the work site is limited or restricted repeatedly.

(Ord. No. 2280, § 1, 8-8-15)

Sec. 7-270.7. - Fees.

(a)

Separate permit and plans review fees will be required for solar energy systems pursuant to this article. The fee shall reimburse the city for staff time incurred and resources expended in its administration of this article.

(b)

The residential solar systems permit fee and the residential solar systems plans review fee shall be set by resolution as approved by the city council.

(c)

Additional hourly reinspection fees as set forth in the city's fees schedule may be assessed on a projects that repeatedly fail inspections.

(Ord. No. 2280, § 1, 8-8-15)

Secs. 7-271—7-280. - Reserved.

ARTICLE XVIII. - PERMIT PROCESS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS

Sec. 7-280.0. - Title.

The ordinance codified in this article shall be known and designated as the "Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permits" ordinance.

(Ord. No. 2323, § 2, 9-19-17)