Fillmore Municipal Code Ch. 5.45 Expedited Permit Process for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Systems

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process that complies with the Solar Rights Act and AB 2188 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014, amending California Civil Code Section 714 and California Government Code Section 65850.5) to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. This chapter encourages the use of solar systems by minimizing costs to property owners and the city and expanding the ability of property owners to install solar energy systems. This chapter allows the city to achieve these goals while protecting public health and safety.

(Ord. No. 15-852, § 2, 8-25-2015)

(a) The terms defined in this section shall be defined as provided below for purposes of this chapter only.

(b) A "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.

(c) A "small residential rooftop solar energy system" means all of the following:

(1) A solar energy system that is no larger than ten kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or thirty 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, County of Ventura 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.

(Ord. No. 15-852, § 2, 8-25-2015)

(a) This chapter applies to the permitting of all small residential rooftop solar energy systems in the city.

(b) Small residential rooftop solar energy systems legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of this chapter are not subject to the requirements of this chapter unless physical modifications or alterations are undertaken that materially change the size, type, or components of a small rooftop 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. 15-852, § 2, 8-25-2015)

(a) All solar energy systems shall meet applicable state and city health and safety standards and requirements, including the California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, and California Fire Code, which are incorporated by reference into the Fillmore Municipal Code by Chapter 5.04 of the Fillmore Municipal Code.

(b) Solar energy systems for heating water in single-family residences and for heating water in commercial or swimming pool applications shall be certified by an accredited listing agency as defined by the California Plumbing and Mechanical Code.

(c) Solar energy 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.

(Ord. No. 15-852, § 2, 8-25-2015)

(a) All documents required for the submission of an expedited solar energy system application will be made available on the city website.

(b) Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents by email or the Internet will be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants. An applicant's electronic signature will be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature.

(c) The city's building and safety department is authorized to and directed to adopt a standard plan and checklist of all requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review.

(d) The small residential rooftop solar system permit process, standard plan, and checklist 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. 15-852, § 2, 8-25-2015)

(a) The community development director is authorized to and directed to implement an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar energy systems.

(b) The building and safety department shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit, on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within 1-3 business days for electronic applications, upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

(c) Review of the application shall be limited to the building official's review of whether the application meets state and city health and safety requirements, including the California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, and California Fire Code, which are incorporated by reference into the Fillmore Municipal Code by Chapter 5.04 of the Fillmore Municipal Code.

(d) The city may deny such application if it makes written findings based upon substantive 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, as defined, 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 in accordance with the procedures set forth in Fillmore Municipal Code Chapter 6.04.80. For purposes of this section, "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.

(e) Conditions may be imposed on an application 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. Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost.

(f) "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 defining restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or decrease its efficiency or specified performance.

(g) 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.

(h) Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the building and safety department for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review under this chapter. The inspection will be done in a timely manner and may include consolidated building and safety and fire safety inspections.

(i) If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is required.

(Ord. No. 15-852, § 2, 8-25-2015)