Dana Point Municipal Code Ch. 8.22 Uniform Solar Energy Code

There is adopted by the City Council of the City of Dana Point the Uniform Solar Energy Code, 2000 Edition, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, of which Code not less than one copy have been made and are now on file with the Clerk of the City; and the same is adopted and incorporated as fully as if set forth at length herein.

(Added by Ord. 02-12, 9/24/02)

Section 106.0 of said Uniform Solar Energy Code is amended to read as follows:

106.0—VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES:

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish, equip, use, occupy, or maintain any building or structure or cause or permit the same to be done in violation of this Code.

Any person, firms, or corporation violating any of the provisions of this Code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such person shall he deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of this Code is committed, continued, or permitted, and upon conviction of any such violation such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

The issuance or granting of a permit or approval of plans and specifications shall not be deemed or construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this Code. No permit presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this Code shall be valid, except insofar as the work or use which it authorized is lawful.

The issuance or granting of a permit or approval of plans shall not prevent the Administrative Authority from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in said plans and specifications or from preventing construction operations being carried on thereunder when in violation of this Code or of any other ordinance or from revoking any certificate or approval when issued in error.

Every permit issued by the Administrative Authority under the provisions of this Code shall expire by limitation and become null and void, if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 180 days from date of issuance of such permit, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 180 days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall be first obtained, and the fee shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made, or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work; and provided, further, that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year.

(Added by Ord. 02-12, 9/24/02)

Section 109.0 of said Uniform Solar Energy Code is amended to read as follows:

109.0—COST OF PERMIT

Every applicant of a permit to do work regulated by this Code, shall state in writing on the application form provided for that purpose, the character of work proposed to be done and the amount and kind in connection therewith, together with such information pertinent thereto, as may be required.

Such applicant shall pay for each permit at the time of issuance. The fees shall be as established by resolution by the City Council of the City of Dana Point.

Any person who shall commence any work for which a permit is required by this Code without first having obtained a permit therefor shall, if subsequently permitted to obtain a permit, pay double the permit fee fixed by this section for such work, provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to emergency work when it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Administrative Authority that such work was urgently necessary and that it was not practical to obtain a permit therefor before the commencement of the work. In all such cases, a permit must be obtained as soon as it is practical to do so, and if there be an unreasonable delay in obtaining such permit, a double fee as herein provided shall be charged.

(Added by Ord. 02-12, 9/24/02)

Section 116.0 of said Uniform Solar Energy Code is amended to read as follows:

116.0—BOARD OF APPEALS

In order to provide for final interpretation of the provisions of this Code, there shall be and is created a Board of Appeals as specified in Section 105 of the California Building Code as amended herein.

(Added by Ord. 02-12, 9/24/02)

Residential photovoltaic systems shall be permitted by a permitting process that substantially conforms with that process laid out in Parts 3 and 4 of the California Solar Guidebook. Modifications to the guidebook are made to conform to Dana Point's permitting system and inspection processes.

(a) Expedited Review Process. Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.5(g)(1), the Building Official shall implement an expedited administrative permit review process for small rooftop solar PV systems, and adopt a checklist of all requirements with which those systems shall comply with in order to be eligible for expedited review.

(b) Electronic Submittals. The Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this Section and associated supporting documentations. In accepting such permit applications, the Building Official shall also accept electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by any applicant.

(Added by Ord. 18-04, 9/4/18)