Calexico Municipal Code Art. XI Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems

A. The purpose of this section is to create an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems, in accordance with California Civil Code Section 714 and California Government Code Section 65850.5.

B. It is also the purpose of this section to promote and encourage the use of small residential rooftop solar energy systems and to limit obstacles to their use, in accordance with the standards adopted by the city pursuant to this section and state law, while allowing the city to protect the public health and safety.

C. It is hereby declared that in any instance where the provisions of this section conflict with any applicable state law or regulation, such state law or regulation shall govern.

(Ord. No. 1163, § 6, 9-16-15)

The following definitions shall govern the meaning of words and phrases used herein:

A. "Checklist of requirements for small residential rooftop solar energy systems" or "checklist" means the rules, regulations, guidelines, and checklist adopted by resolution of the city council that sets forth implementing and additional requirements for small residential rooftop solar energy systems consistent with Section 65850.5 of the Government Code.

B. "Director" means the director of the city's planning department or his or her designee.

C. "Electronic submittal" shall have the same meaning as the term is defined in subsection (j)(2) of Section 65850.5 of the Government Code, as amended from time to time or replaced by a successor statute.

D. "Small residential rooftop solar energy system" shall have the same meaning as the term is defined in subsection (j)(3) of Section 65850.5 of the Government Code, as amended from time to time or replaced by a successor statute.

E. "Solar energy system" shall have the same meaning as the term is defined in subsection (j)(4) of Section 65850.5 of the Government Code, as amended from time to time or replaced by a successor statute.

F. "Specific, adverse impact" shall have the same meaning as the term is defined in subsection (j)(5) of Section 65850.5 of the Government Code, as amended from time to time or replaced by a successor statute.

(Ord. No. 1163, § 6, 9-16-15)

This section applies to the permitting of all small residential rooftop solar energy systems, as defined herein, in the city. Small residential rooftop solar energy systems legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of this section are not subject to the requirements stated herein, unless physical modifications or alterations are undertaken that materially change the size, type, or components of a small rooftop solar 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. 1163, § 6, 9-16-15)

In addition to the checklist of requirements for small residential rooftop solar energy systems, the following standards shall apply to each small residential rooftop solar energy system:

A. Systems shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by state and local permitting authorities, consistent with Section 65850.5 of the Government Code.

B. 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.

C. The director may from time to time revise the checklist of requirements for small residential rooftop solar energy systems as long as any revisions are consistent with the most recently adopted resolution of the city council adopting the checklist, and are consistent with Section 65850.5 of the Government Code.

D. The checklist of requirements for small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall be made available to the public during regular business hours at the office of the city clerk and by posting the checklist on the city's web site.

(Ord. No. 1163, § 6, 9-16-15)

All documents required for the submission of an expedited small residential rooftop solar energy system application shall be made available on the city's website. The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the city's planning department in person or by electronic submittal, together with any required permit processing and inspection fees. For electronic submittal, the city shall accept an electronic signature on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by an applicant to the extent permitted by law and to the extent such electronic submittal complies with the requirements set forth in this section and the checklist of requirements for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.

(Ord. No. 1163, § 6, 9-16-15)

Review of the application to install a small residential rooftop solar energy system shall be limited to an expedited administrative, nondiscretionary review by the planning department of whether the application meets all health and safety requirements of local, state, and federal law. The requirements of local law shall be limited to those standards and regulations necessary to ensure that the small residential rooftop solar energy system will not have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety. If the building official makes a finding based on substantial evidence, that a small residential rooftop solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety, the city may require the applicant to apply for a conditional use permit or other applicable license or permit in accordance with the in accordance with the procedure and standards set forth in Section 65650.5 of the Government Code.

(Ord. No. 1163, § 6, 9-16-15)

A. An application that satisfies the requirements of this section and the checklist of requirements for small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall be deemed complete upon confirmation by the director that the application and supporting documents are complete and meet the requirements of this section and the checklist. Upon the director's determination that an application is complete, the city's planning department shall approve the application and, in conjunction with any other city departments, issue all required permits or authorizations. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the director shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.

B. If the city denies an application for a use permit to install a small residential rooftop solar energy system, the city shall make written findings 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.

C. The decision of the director pursuant to subsections A and B may be appealed to the planning commission and the decision of the planning commission may be appealed to the city council in accordance with this code.

(Ord. No. 1163, § 6, 9-16-15)

For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection, except that a separate fire safety inspection may be performed if the city does not have an agreement with a local fire authority to conduct a fire safety inspection on behalf of the fire authority. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized, however the subsequent inspection need not conform to the requirements of this section.

(Ord. No. 1163, § 6, 9-16-15)

The city shall not condition approval for any small residential rooftop solar energy system permit on the approval of the system by an association, as that term is defined in Section 4080 of the Civil Code.

(Ord. No. 1163, § 6, 9-16-15)