La Mirada Municipal Code Ch. 17.26 Expedited Permitting for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems

The provisions of this Chapter are intended to help the State of California reach its economic, energy and environmental goals by providing a standardized and streamlined permitting process to encourage the use of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. This Chapter shall apply to the permitting of small residential rooftop solar energy systems that meet the requirements of Section 17.26.070 of this Chapter, which are installed on a one- or two-family dwelling and involve either a photovoltaic system that is no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current, or a solar thermal system for residential service water heating and/or solar pool heating that is no larger than 30 kilowatts thermal.

(Ord. 675 § 2 (part), 2015).

For the purpose of this Chapter, words and terms used in this Chapter shall have the meanings set forth in this Section. Where terms are not defined in this Section and are defined elsewhere in this Code, the Plumbing Code or the Electrical Code, such terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in such codes. Where terms are not defined through the methods authorized by this Section, such terms shall have their ordinary accepted meanings such as the context implies.

“Kilowatt thermal” means a unit of measurement to approximate the amount of energy produced by a solar thermal collector. Each square meter of collector space equals 0.7 kilowatts thermal.

“Small residential rooftop solar energy system” means a rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of Section 17.26.070 of this Chapter, which is installed on a one- or two-family dwelling and which does not exceed 10 kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating, or a solar thermal system for residential service water heating and solar pool heating that is no larger than 30 kilowatts thermal, or otherwise as defined in California Government Code Section 65850.5(j)(3).

“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 electricity generation, space heating or cooling, or for 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.

(Ord. 675 § 2 (part), 2015).

The application for a permit shall meet the requirements of Title 26, Chapter 1, Section 106.4 of the Los Angeles County Code, or any successor provision thereto, and may be submitted in person or electronically through the online submittal system maintained by the Building Official. Prior to submitting the application for an expedited permit, the applicant shall verify that the installation meets all criteria in Section 17.26.070 to qualify for expedited permit issuance. Upon receipt of a complete small residential rooftop solar energy system application, plan check review will be completed within one to three business days.

(Ord. 675 § 2 (part), 2015).

Upon approval of a permit application by the Building Official, a building, electrical or plumbing permit, as applicable, will be issued for the work described in the application. A combined solar energy permit may be issued for photovoltaic systems, which will include all building and electrical work, however a separate plumbing permit, if needed, will be required for thermal systems. The combined solar energy permit is subject to the requirements of the Building Code and the Electrical Code.

(Ord. 675 § 2 (part), 2015).

Permit fees for the installation of small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall be as adopted by resolution of the City Council of the City of La Mirada. The combined permit fee for small residential rooftop photovoltaic systems shall not exceed $500 unless a greater amount is established in accordance with Government Code Section 66015 or other applicable law.

When an incomplete application is submitted, a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance will be issued.

(Ord. 675 § 2 (part), 2015).

(a) General. All construction or work for small residential rooftop solar energy systems for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official and such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved by the Building Official as specified in Title 26, Chapter 1, Section 108 of the Los Angeles County Code, or any successor provision thereto.

(b) Required inspections. A combination inspection shall be conducted to inspect the structural, electrical, and plumbing components of the installation of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. One inspection shall be required for the system. Evidence satisfactory to the Building Official as identified in Los Angeles County Building Code Manual Section 6807, Article 1, must be provided at the inspection to verify that the installation and labeling of components meet all applicable requirements of the Building Code, the Plumbing Code, and the Electrical Code. The Building Official may require exposure of the following components if sufficient evidence regarding installation and labeling is not provided:

• 1. Fastening of roof mounting system to structural framing members.
• 2. Grounding and bonding of panels.
• 3. Nameplates of modules and inverters.

If the small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, subsequent inspections are authorized until the work is approved by the Building Official.

(Ord. 675 § 2 (part), 2015).

(a) General. The design of small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply with this Section to qualify for expedited permit issuance.

(b) Height limit. The solar panel or module array shall not exceed the maximum legal building height applicable in the City of La Mirada, as established in the City of La Mirada Zoning Ordinance, Building Code, and Residential Code, or other applicable legal authority, based on the most restrictive provision.

(c) Solar Permitting Guidebook. The submitted plans must comply with Los Angeles County Building Code Manual Section 6807, Article 1, including its checklist and standard plans as developed in substantial conformance with the California Solar Permitting Guidebook adopted by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and as adopted by the Building Official.

(d) Minimum photovoltaic system standards. The photovoltaic system shall be identified and listed in the application as referenced in the Electrical Code.

(e) Minimum solar thermal system standards. The solar thermal systems shall be certified by Solar Rating and Certification Corporation or other approved listing agencies as specified in the Plumbing Code.

(f) Compliance with laws. In addition to the requirements of this Chapter, small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall also comply with all other applicable City, County, and State Codes, statutes, laws and regulations in order to be eligible for expedited permit processing.

(Ord. 675 § 2 (part), 2015).