Bellflower Municipal Code Ch. 15.68 Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy System Review Process

The purpose of this chapter is to adopt a solar permitting process that complies with California Government Code Section 65850.5.

(Ord. 1299 § 1, 9/28/15)

For purposes of this chapter, the terms "solar energy system," "small residential rooftop solar energy system," and "electronic submittal" shall have the same meaning as set forth in Government Code Section 65850.5.

(Ord. 1299 § 1, 9/28/15)

A. The City's Building and Safety Division shall develop a checklist (handout) of the requirements which small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply with to be eligible for review.

B. The small residential rooftop solar system permit process and checklist(s) shall substantially conform to recommendations for expedited permitting, including the checklist and standard plans, contained in the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook adopted by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research.

C. All documents required for the submission of a solar energy system application shall be made available on the City's website.

D. Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents shall be made available to all applicants for small residential rooftop solar energy system permits.

E. In the case of electronic submittal, an applicant's electronic signature shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature. For purposes of this section, the City will accept as an electronic signature the electronic copy of the signature, such as a facsimile image or an electronic image (such as a PDF), of an applicant's written signature. Licensed Design Professional State Regulated Stamps are still required.

(Ord. 1299 § 1, 9/28/15)

A. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the Building Official shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for permit issuance.

B. Review of an application shall be limited to the Building Official's review of whether the application meets the checklist and California Building Standards Code requirements. However, if the Building Official makes a finding, based on substantial evidence, that the solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety, the applicant may be required to apply for a "use" permit.

C. In the case that a "use" permit to install a solar energy system is required, its application may not be denied unless written findings are made based upon substantial evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. The findings shall include the basis for the rejection of potential feasible alternatives of preventing the adverse impact.

D. In most cases only one consolidated inspection shall be required and shall be performed, in a timely manner, for small residential rooftop solar energy systems. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails an inspection, subsequent inspection(s) shall be authorized but need not conform to the requirements of this chapter.

E. The Building Official shall not condition approval for any solar energy system on the approval of a solar energy system by an association, as that term is defined in Section 4080 of the California Civil Code.

(Ord. 1299 § 1, 9/28/15)