Imperial County Municipal Code Ch. 2 Expedited, Streamlined Permitting Process

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a procedure for a streamlined or expedited building permit process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems (SRR-SES) that are eligible, in accordance with this ordinance [division]. This process applies to SRR-SES as defined in Section 93201.02.B of Title 9 that are eligible for an expedited permitting process as set forth in Section 93202.01 of Title 9.

(Ord. No. 1509, § 1, 9-22-15)

In order for an SRR-SES application to be eligible for an expedited, streamlined permitting process, all of the following criteria must be met and verified with Rooftop Solar Approval and Checklist Eligibility forms at time of submittal:

1. The proposed SRR-SES must be a solar energy system that is no larger than ten (10) kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating (PV) or thirty (30) kilowatts thermal (four hundred sixty-two (462) square feet of collector).

2. The proposed SRR-SES must conform to all applicable State fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the County of Imperial, such as Title 24, Parts 2, 2.5, 3-6, and 9, etc., and paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 714 of the Civil Code.

3. The proposed SRR-SES must be roof-mounted.

4. The proposed SRR-SES must be mounted on an existing code compliant single or duplex family dwelling structure or incidental accessory structure.

5. The height must not exceed the maximum legal building height.

6. All components for a SRR-SES must be certified by an accredited listing agency, including:

a. Solar collectors (thermal and thermal pools only).

b. Solar domestic water heating system (Thermal only).

7. The heat transfer fluid is either water or nontoxic fluid (thermal only).

8. A complete building permit application, pursuant to §93202.02, must be submitted.

(Ord. No. 1509, § 1, 9-22-15; Ord. No. 1587, §§ 1, 2, 12-5-23)

The building permit applications for a SRR-SES shall contain all of the following documentation, along with appropriate permit fee, in order to be received and deemed complete. Acceptable forms are listed in Chapter 5 of this Ordinance [Title] and shall be available at the Imperial County Planning and Development Services Department (ICPDS) office and on the department's public website. All documents must be completely filled out and in conformance with the approved SRR-SES "Checklist of Eligibility and Requirements".

1. Checklist of eligibility and required permitting documentation rooftop solar approval form.

2. Permit application (General ICPDS form), see Section 93205.03.

3. General owner's acknowledgement form (General ICPDS form), see Section 93205.04.

4. General owner's affidavit form (General ICPDS form), see Section 93204.05, letter of approval or similar document, if necessary:

a. When the owner of title is not signing the application.

b. When an individual is signing for a corporation or company, which is the owner.

5. Site plan(s), two full sets required (general ICPDS form or drafted plans), see Section 93205.06.

6. Maximum height of solar panels and rooftop.

7. Clearance distance around panels pursuant to CA Fire Code Section 605.11-605.12.

8. Electrical and structural plans prepared by a licensed engineer, two full sets required, see Section 93205.07.

9. Fee, as set forth in Chapter 4 of this Division.

10. Current worker's compensation insurance listing the county of Imperial as the certificate holder for the contractor of record, on file with ICPDS.

(Ord. No. 1509, § 1, 9-22-15; Ord. No. 1587, §§ 1, 2, 12-5-23)

Building permits applications for SRR-SES shall be reviewed and approved by the next business day and no later than three business days, following the day the building permit application is received and deemed complete.

(Ord. No. 1509, § 1, 9-22-15)

Building permits application for SRR-SES may be submitted to the Imperial County Planning and Development Services Department (ICPDS), Building Division by way of any of the following methods:

A. In person: Submit all original application documentation in person to the Building Division at the ICPDS office located at the address listed in subsection B.

B. Mail: Mail all original application documentation to the building division at the following address: 801 W. Main Street, EJ Centro, CA 92243. Submittal by this method has to include a valid email for the applicant, in order to receive confirmation of receipt of the application and notification of acceptance status. If the application is incomplete or will not be accepted, the applicant will be notified by email and the application will be mailed back to the applicant.

C. Email (electronic submittal): Email an Adobe PDF (.pdf) copy of the original application documentation to the building division at the following email: Buildinginfo@co.imperial.ca.us or to the division's current active email. An email will be sent to the applicant to confirm receipt of the application and to notify of acceptance status, and if the application is incomplete or will not be accepted, the applicant will also be notified by email. Since electronic signatures cannot be accepted, the application must be signed prior issuance of the building permit, and fees must also be paid prior to issuance of the building permit in person or by calling (442)265-1736 or the department's current active phone number.

D. Facsimile (electronic submittal): Fax a copy of the original application documentation to the building division at the following fax number: (442)265-1735 (Attn: Building Division) or to the division's current active fax number. Submittal by this method has to include a valid email for the applicant, in order to receive confirmation of receipt of the application and notification of acceptance status, and if the application is incomplete or will not be accepted, the applicant will also be notified by email. Since electronic signatures cannot be accepted, the application must be signed prior issuance of the building permit, and fees must also be paid prior to issuance of the building permit in person or by calling (442)265-1736 or the department's current active phone number.

Any application documentation submitted must be legible. ILLEGIBLE APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION IS GROUNDS FOR DEEMING AN APPLICATION INCOMPLETE OR NOT ACCEPTING AN APPLICATION.

(Ord. No. 1509, § 1, 9-22-15)

All required application documentation shall be signed by the appropriate party (i.e. property owner[s] contractors, etc.) as specified on the application or form(s) listed in Section 93202.02 of this chapter.

California State Law requires local agencies to authorize the acceptance of the electronic signature on all application documentation for SRR-SES in lieu of a wet signature, unless the local agency determines its inability to authorize such format. Pursuant to Government Code §65850.5(g)(2), the Imperial County Planning and Development Services Department (ICPDS or Department) is UNABLE TO AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE, at the time of adoption of this "Rooftop Solar Ordinance," on all application documentation for SRR-SES for the following reasons: ICPDS does not currently accept electronic signatures, as defined in Section 93201.02 of this ordinance [division], for any type of permit that is processed by this department; therefore, the department does not count on the necessary technological capability to accept this type of signature format. In order to establish required capabilities, funding has to be obtained to secure appropriate hard- and/or software that can authenticate an electronic signature and more time is necessary to establish the technological capability to accept this signature format. Therefore, the county of Imperial WILL NOT ALLOW ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES on any application documentation for SRR-SES, and WET SIGNATURES ARE REQUIRED as listed above and Section 93202.04 of this chapter.

If submitting the SRR-SES application electronically, all forms may be submitted without a wet signature or any signature; however, prior to issuance of the building permit, all forms must be signed by the appropriate party. In lieu of a wet signature from the owner on an application, the owner may provide a notarized owner's affidavit with wet signatures giving someone else the ability to sign the application.

(Ord. No. 1509, § 1, 9-22-15)

Building permits for SRR-SES that meet all the minimum requirements of this ordinance [division], and that do not have any specific, adverse impact on the public's health or safety, and conforms with Government Code §65850.5, specifically Subsection (f), shall be approved and issued to the applicant(s). ICPDS staff shall notify the applicant(s) of issuance by phone or email, and the applicant(s) shall pick-up issued building permit(s) from the ICPDS office during normal business hours.

(Ord. No. 1509, § 1, 9-22-15)

ICPDS shall notify an applicant in writing within three days if a building permit application for SRR-SES will be denied. The written notice shall include the reason for denial and may recommend possible solutions or alternatives for approval. Re-submittal of a previously "denied" building permit application for SRR-SES that has been revised shall be deemed equivalent of a new application and all procedures and time frames shall be as a new application.

(Ord. No. 1509, § 1, 9-22-15)

Any inspection(s) required for SRR-SES shall be done as follows:

A. One or two inspections, depending on size of proposed project. Additional inspections may be required for corrections.

B. One inspection for foundation system and supplemental work around pedestals. Additional inspections may be required for corrections.

(Ord. No. 1509, § 1, 9-22-15; Ord. No. 1587, §§ 1, 2, 12-5-23)

An ICPDS building inspector that performs an inspection for an EVCS may issue a "Correction Notice" if the system that was built does not match the approved application and plans, if the system does not meet local and state building and electrical codes, or if the system does not meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements, issuance of a correction notice shall constitute a failed inspection and hourly rate may be charged.

(Ord. No. 1509, § 1, 9-22-15; Ord. No. 1587, §§ 1, 2, 12-5-23)

A building permit for a SRR-SES shall only be considered "finalized" or a "final permit" if the constructed system passes the inspection and receives a sign-off by an ICPDS Building Inspector.

(Ord. No. 1509, § 1, 9-22-15)