Belmont Municipal Code Div. 8 Solar Permit Streamlining

(a) This Division provides an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process that complies with Government Code Section 65850.5, to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. This Division encourages the use of solar systems by establishing a streamlined process, minimizing costs to property owners and the City of Belmont, and expanding the ability of property owners to install solar energy systems.

(Ord. No. 2015-1091, § 1, 9-24-15)

The terms "solar energy system", "small residential rooftop solar energy system", "specific adverse impact", "a feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact", and "electronic submittal" are defined in Government Code Section 65850.5.

(Ord. No. 2015-1091, § 1, 9-24-15)

(a) The Building Division shall develop and implement a process of the expedited review of small residential rooftop solar energy systems that 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. The process shall include:

(1) A checklist of all application requirements for expedited review.

(2) Posting on the City's website all documents required for the submission of an expedited application.

(3) The option to electronically submit the permit application and supporting documents.

(4) Acceptance of an applicant's electronic signature on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature.

(b) For purposes of this section, an electronic copy, such as a facsimile image or an electronic image (such as a PDF), of an applicant's written signature is acceptable as an electronic signature.

(c) For walk-in applications, the Building Official shall perform a plan review and issue all required permits over-the-counter or within 1 business day. For electronic submittals the building official shall perform a plan review and issue all required permits within 1 - 3 business days.

(d) If an application is incomplete, the Building Official shall issue a written correction notice to the applicant detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.

(Ord. No. 2015-1091, § 1, 9-24-15)

(a) Review of the permit application is limited to the Building Official's review of whether the application meets the checklist and California Building Standards Code requirements, except as provided in subsection (b).

(b) A use permit may be required only as provided in this section.

(1) The Building Official may require an applicant to apply for a use permit if the Building Official finds based on substantial evidence that the solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety. The use permit may not be denied unless the Building 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. The findings shall include the basis for the rejection of the potential feasible alternative for preventing the adverse impact. The Building Official's decisions under this paragraph may be appealed to the Planning Commission.

(2) Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost.

(c) Approval of an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system may not be conditioned on the approval of an association, as defined by Civil Code Section 4080.

(Ord. No. 2015-1091, § 1, 9-24-15)

(a) Whenever possible, the Building Division shall limit the number of inspections necessary to approve the installation of a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review to a single inspection. A separate fire inspection may be performed by the Belmont Fire Department, if required.

(b) Inspections shall be done within three business days and may include consolidated inspections.

(c) If an installation fails inspection, subsequent inspections may be required and do not need to conform to this Division.

(Ord. No. 2015-1091, § 1, 9-24-15)