Chula Vista Municipal Code Ch. 15.29 Expedited Permit Processing

Sections:

• 15.29.010 Definitions. 15.29.020 Small residential rooftop solar energy systems. 15.29.030 Electric vehicle charging stations.

15.29.040 Fees. 15.29.050 Use permit. 15.29.060 Denial.

***** For statutory provisions regarding expedited permit processing requirements, see Gov. Code §§ 65850.5 and 65850.7.

“A feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact” includes, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition, or mitigation imposed by the City on another similarly situated application in a prior successful application for a permit. The City shall use its best efforts to ensure that the selected method, condition, or mitigation meets the conditions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 714 of the Civil Code.

“Electric vehicle charging station” or “charging station” means any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station that is designed and built in compliance with the California Electrical Code, and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.

“Small residential rooftop solar energy system” means all of the following:

1. A solar energy system that is no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or 30 kilowatts thermal.

2. A solar energy system that conforms to all applicable state fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the City and all state and City health and safety standards.

3. A solar energy system that is installed on a single- or duplex-family dwelling.

4. A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the City.

“Solar energy system” means either of the following:

1. Any solar collector or other solar energy device whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating, space cooling, electric generation, or water heating.

2. Any structural design feature of a building, whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation, space heating or cooling, or for water heating.

“Specific, adverse impact” means a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified, and written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete. (Ord. 3373 § 2, 2016).

A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to adopt an expedited solar permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems pursuant to Government Code Section 65850.5(g).

B. Applicability. This section applies to the permitting of eligible small residential rooftop solar energy systems in the City.

C. Permitting. Applicants desiring to qualify for the expedited review shall submit an application to the City, in a form approved by the City’s Building Official. The Building Official is authorized to administratively act on such applications, pursuant to this section. Decisions of the Building Official may be appealed to the Planning Commission.

D. Eligibility Checklists. The City shall adopt checklists of all requirements with which small rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The checklists, standard plans and expedited process shall substantially conform with the recommendations contained in the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook and adopted by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. The Building Official is hereby authorized to develop and maintain the eligibility checklists.

E. An application that satisfies the requirements of the eligibility checklists, as determined by the Building Official, shall be deemed complete and eligible for the expedited permitting process. 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 the expedited permitting process.

F. Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the application and supporting documentation are complete and that the solar energy system substantially conforms to all applicable local, state, and federal health and safety requirements, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue required permits. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the small residential rooftop energy system to the local utility provider’s electricity grid. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility provider.

G. For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, one consolidated building inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, re-inspections are required. (Ord. 3373 § 2, 2016).

A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to adopt an expedited permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations pursuant to Government Code Section 65850.7(g).

B. Permitting. Applicants desiring to qualify for the expedited review shall submit an application to the City, in a form approved by the City’s Building Official. The Building Official is authorized to administratively act on such applications, pursuant to this section. Decisions of the Building Official may be appealed to the Planning Commission.

C. Checklists. The City Building Official is authorized and directed to develop checklists of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. An application that satisfies the requirements of the eligibility checklists, as determined by the Building Official, shall be deemed complete and eligible for the expedited permitting process. 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 the expedited permitting process.

D. Upon confirmation by the Building Official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and that the electric vehicle charging stations substantially conform to all applicable local, state, and federal health and safety requirements, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue required permits. (Ord. 3373 § 2, 2016).

Permit fees for eligible small residential rooftop solar energy systems and electric vehicle charging stations shall be as specified in the Master Fee Schedule of the City of Chula Vista. (Ord. 3373 § 2, 2016).

If the Building Official makes a finding, based on substantial evidence, that the proposed project could have a specific, adverse impact on the public health and safety, the Building Official may require the applicant to apply for a use permit. (Ord. 3373 § 2, 2016).

The City may deny an application if it makes written findings based on substantial evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact on the public health or safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. (Ord. 3373 § 2, 2016).