Lafayette Municipal Code Ch. 3-10 Solar Energy Systems

(a) A building permit is required to install a solar energy system. "Solar energy system" has the meaning set forth in Civil Code Section 801.5.

(b) An application for a building permit to install a solar energy system will be processed in accordance with Government Code Section 65850.5.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 11-9-2015)

The following expedited, streamlined permitting process applies to applications for a building permit to install a small residential rooftop solar energy system:

(a) Application. The building official will make the following available on the city's website: The city's standard building permit application form; and the city's standard small residential rooftop solar energy system plan form and checklist, which will substantially conform to the plan form and checklist in the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook published by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. The checklist will include all requirements that a small residential rooftop solar energy system must meet to be eligible for review and approval under this section. An application to install a small residential rooftop solar energy system may be submitted electronically.

(b) Application Review. An application will be deemed complete if the building official determines that the application includes all of the information and documents required by the standard application form, the standard plan form, and the standard checklist. If an application is deemed incomplete, the building official will notify the applicant in writing of the additional information needed to complete the application. After an application is deemed complete, the building official will perform an expedited review of the application and all submittals in substantial conformance with the timeline set forth in the then-current edition of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook published by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research.

(c) Permit Issuance. A building permit will be issued following the building official's approval of an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system and after all required fees have been paid. If the application was submitted electronically, the permit may be issued electronically.

(d) Inspection and Authorization to Operate. As soon as practicable after the applicant notifies the building official that a small residential rooftop solar energy system has been installed under a building permit, the building official will inspect the system to verify compliance with the building permit. If the building official determines that a system was not installed in compliance with a building permit, the building official will notify the permittee of the actions needed to comply with the building permit and will conduct additional inspections as necessary. No small residential rooftop solar energy system may be operated unless the building official verifies in writing that it complies with the building permit.

(e) For purposes of this section, a "small residential rooftop solar energy system" means all of the following:

(1) The solar energy system is no larger than ten kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating, or 30 kilowatts thermal; and

(2) The solar energy system, including its installation, conforms to all applicable fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the city in Title 3 of this code and applicable requirements of Civil Code Section 714; and

(3) The solar energy system is located on a rooftop of a detached single-family dwelling or a duplex, which includes flush mounted systems; and

(4) The solar panel or module array, when installed on a rooftop, does not exceed the building height limit of the zoning district in which it is located.

*Consistent with the California Solar Permitting Guidebook prepared by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, the City of Lafayette prefers and encourages flush-mounted solar panels, defined as installed parallel to the roof and not more than ten inches from the roofline.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 11-9-2015)

The requirements of this chapter are in addition to any other applicable requirements of this code, and any requirements of a utility provider, that must be satisfied before a solar energy system may be installed or operated.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 11-9-2015)