Citrus Heights Municipal Code Art. XVII Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems

The following words and phrases as used in this article are defined as follows:

Electronic submittal means the utilization of one or more of the following:

(1) E-mail,

(2) The internet,

(3) Facsimile.

Small residential rooftop solar energy system means a solar energy system that meets all of the following criteria:

(1) Is no larger than ten kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or 30 kilowatts thermal.

(2) Conforms to all applicable state fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the city, and all applicable state and city health and safety standards.

(3) Is installed on a single or duplex family dwelling.

(4) Contains a solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the authority having jurisdiction.

Solar energy system has the same meaning set forth in Civil Code § 801.5(a)(1) and (2), as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time to time.

(Ord. No. 2015-007, § 1, 10-22-2015)

(a) The building official shall adopt a checklist of all requirements with which small rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The checklist, and all documents required for submittal, shall be published on the city's website.

(b) The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the city's building division by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees.

(c) An applicant's electronic signature shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of an original signature.

(d) The small residential rooftop solar system permit process, standard plans, and checklists 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.

(Ord. No. 2015-007, § 1, 10-22-2015)

(a) Prior to submitting an application, the applicant shall:

(1) Verify to the applicant's reasonable satisfaction through the use of standard engineering evaluation techniques that the support structure for the small residential rooftop solar energy system is stable and adequate to transfer all wind, seismic, and dead and live loads associated with the system to the building foundation; and

(2) At the applicant's cost, verify to the applicant's reasonable satisfaction using standard electrical inspection techniques that the existing electrical system including existing line, load, ground and bonding wiring as well as main panel and subpanel sizes are adequately sized, based on the existing electrical system's current use, to carry all new photovoltaic electrical loads.

(b) An application that satisfies the information requirements in the checklist, as determined by the building official, shall be deemed complete. 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 expedited permit issuance.

(c) Upon confirmation by the building official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. 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.

(d) 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. If a use permit is required, the building official may deny an application only if the building official makes written findings based upon substantial 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 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 to the planning commission. Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost.

(e) Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the building and safety division for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review. Such inspections shall be scheduled and done in a timely manner. 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 subsection. The local fire district may require a separate inspection.

(Ord. No. 2015-007, § 1, 10-22-2015)