La Quinta Municipal Code Ch. 8.90 Standards for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems

A. The purpose of this chapter is to create an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems, in accordance with California Civil Code Section 714 and California Government Code Section 65850.5.

B. It is also the purpose of this chapter to promote and encourage the use of solar energy systems and to limit obstacles to their use, in accordance with the standards adopted by the city pursuant to this section and state law.

C. It is hereby declared that in any instance where the provisions of this chapter conflict with any applicable state law or regulation, such state law or regulation shall govern.

(Ord. 527 § 3, 2015)

The following definitions shall govern the meaning of words and phrases used herein:

A. "Checklist of Requirements for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems" or "Checklist" means the rules, regulations, guidelines, and checklist adopted by resolution of the city council that sets forth implementing and additional requirements for small residential rooftop solar energy systems consistent with Section 65850.5 of the Government Code.

B. "Director" means the director of the city's community development department, or successor city official or department responsible for the implementation of this section, as may be identified from time to time, in the Checklist of Requirements for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems.

C. "Electronic submittal" means the utilization of one (1) or more of the following:

1. E-mail;

2. The Internet;

3. Facsimile.

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

1. A solar energy system that is no larger than ten (10) kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or thirty (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 and paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 714 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or re-designated from time to time.

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.

E. "Solar energy system" has the same meaning set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 801.5 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or re-designated from time to time.

(Ord. 527 § 3, 2015)

In addition to the Checklist of Requirements for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems, the following standards shall apply to each small residential rooftop solar energy system:

A. Solar energy systems shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by state and local permitting authorities, consistent with Section 65850.5 of the Government Code.

B. 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.

C. The community development department may from time to time revise the Checklist of Requirements for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems as long as any revisions are consistent with the most recently adopted resolution of the city council adopting the Checklist, and are consistent with Section 65850.5 of the Government Code.

D. The Checklist of Requirements for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems shall be made available to the public during regular business hours at the community development department and by posting the Checklist on the city's Internet website.

(Ord. 527 § 3, 2015)

The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the city's community development department by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees. For electronic submittal, the city shall accept an electronic signature on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by an applicant to the extent permitted by law and to the extent such electronic submittal complies with the requirements set forth in this chapter and the Checklist of Requirements for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems.

(Ord. 527 § 3, 2015)

Review of the application to install a solar energy system shall be limited to the community development department's review of whether the application meets all health and safety requirements of local, state, and federal law. The requirements of local law shall be limited to those standards and regulations necessary to ensure that the solar energy system will not have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety. If the director of the community development department makes a finding based on substantial evidence, that a solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety, the city may require the applicant to apply for a conditional use permit or other applicable license or permit.

(Ord. 527 § 3, 2015)

A. An application that satisfies the requirements of this chapter and the Checklist of Requirements for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems shall be deemed complete upon confirmation by the director of the community development department that the application and supporting documents are complete and meet the requirements of this chapter and the Checklist. Upon the director's determination that an application is complete, the city's community development department shall approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the director shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.

B. If the city denies the application, the city shall make written findings based upon substantial evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. The findings shall include the basis for the rejection of potential feasible alternatives of preventing the adverse impact.

C. The decision of the director of the community development department pursuant to subsections A and B may be appealed to the planning commission pursuant to Section 9.200.120, and, if a subsequent decision of the planning commission is sought, may be appealed to the city council pursuant to Chapter 2.04 of this code.

(Ord. 527 § 3, 2015)

For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, only one (1) inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection, except that a separate fire safety inspection may be performed if the city does not have an agreement with a local fire authority to conduct a fire safety inspection on behalf of the fire authority. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized, however the subsequent inspection need not conform to the requirements of this section.

(Ord. 527 § 3, 2015)

The city shall not condition approval for any solar energy system permit on the HOA approval of a solar energy system by an association, as that term is defined in Section 4080 of the Civil Code.

(Ord. 527 § 3, 2015)