Del Norte County Municipal Code § 14.17 Expedited Permitting For Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems

Pursuant to Government Code Section 65850.5, it is the intent of this chapter to encourage the installation of solar energy systems by removing obstacles to, and minimizing costs of, permitting for such systems.

(Ord. 2022-001 §1, 2022)

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

1. A solar energy system that is no larger than IO 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, county, or city and county and paragraph (3) of subdivision ( c) of Section 714 of the Civil Code.

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 authority having jurisdiction.

(Ord. 2022-001 §1, 2022)

1. The building inspection division shall adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems, including standard plans and checklists. The checklists shall set forth all requirements with which the small residential rooftop solar energy system must comply in order to be eligible for expedited review. The building official is hereby authorized and directed to develop such checklist and procedures.

2. The small residential rooftop solar system permit process, standard plans, and checklists, shall substantially conform to the recommendations for expedited permitting, including the checklists 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.

3. The checklists and standard plans for small residential rooftop solar energy systems adopted by building inspection division, as well as all other required permitting documentation shall be published on the county's website. If the building inspection division modifies the checklists and standard plans found in the California Solar Permitting Guidebook, the division shall document the unique climactic, geological, seismological or topographical conditions requiring such modifications and shall include such documentation on the county's website.

(Ord. 2022-001 §1, 2022)

1. The applicant may submit the application and related documentation for a small residential rooftop solar energy system by electronic submittal, with all required permit processing and inspection fees, as specified on the county's website. Electronic signatures shall be accepted by the building inspection division on all electronic submittals in lieu of a wet signature.

2. An application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system shall be deemed complete when the building inspection division staff determines that the application satisfies all the information requirements in the checklists and standard plans.

3. If an application is deemed incomplete, a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance shall be sent to the applicant for resubmission.

4. Applications for small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall be administratively reviewed and approved by the building official as nondiscretionary permits within in a reasonable time following receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the county's approved checklists, standards plans, and payment of all required permit processing and inspection fees.

5. The building inspection division may require the applicant to apply for use permit, including a plot plan or site plan pursuant to Title 20 or Title 21 of the Del Norte County Code and all provisions of those sections of the applicable title (Title 20- inland, Title 21- coastal) of Del Norte County Code shall apply if the division makes written findings, based on substantial evidence, that the proposed small residential rooftop solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact on the public health and safety.

6. Approval of an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system shall not be based or conditioned on the approval of an association, as defined in section 4080 of the Civil Code.

7. Approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the small residential rooftop energy system to the local utility's electricity grid. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility.

(Ord. 2022-001 §1, 2022)

1. Only one inspection shall be required and performed by staff for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.

2. The inspection shall be completed in a timely manner.

3. A separate fire inspection may be performed if an agreement with the local fire authority does not exist to perform safety inspections on behalf of the fire authority.

4. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized but need not conform to the requirements of this section.

(Ord. 2022-001 §1, 2022)