Los Angeles County Municipal Code Ch. 68 Expedited Permitting for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems

Title 26 of the Los Angeles County Code is amended by adding Chapter 68, entitled "EXPEDITED PERMITTING FOR SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS," to read as follows:

SECTION 6801 - SCOPE

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 process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems that meet the requirements of Section 6807, 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 solar pool heating that is no larger than 30 kilowatts thermal.

(Ord. 2015-0034, § 1, 2015.)

SECTION 6802 - DEFINITIONS

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. Unit of measurement of the amount of energy produced by a solar thermal collector. Each square meter of collector space equals 0.7 kilowatts thermal. This factor shall be used uniformly for unglazed collectors, flat plate collectors, and evacuated tubular collectors.

SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. A rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of Section 6807, 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.

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. Solar energy system shall mean either of the following:

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.

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. 2016-0053 § 82, 2016; Ord. 2015-0034, § 1, 2015.)

SECTION 6803 - APPLICATION FOR PERMITS

The application for a permit shall meet the requirements of Section 106.4 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 6807 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. 2015-0034, § 1, 2015.)

SECTION 6804 - PERMITS

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 system installation, which will include all building and electrical work. The combined solar energy permit is subject to the requirements of this Code and the Electrical Code.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 83, 2016; Ord. 2015-0034, § 1, 2015.)

SECTION 6805 - FEES

Permit fees for the installation of small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall be charged according to the applicable fees prescribed in Section 107 of this Code, Section 82-8 of the Electrical Code, and Sections 103.10 and 103.11 of the Plumbing Code, as applicable. The combined solar energy permit fee for small residential rooftop photovoltaic systems shall not exceed the amount set forth in 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. 2019-0056 § 66, 2019; Ord. 2016-0053 § 84, 2016; Ord. 2015-0034, § 1, 2015.)

SECTION 6806 - INSPECTIONS

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 Section 108.

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 Building Code Manual 6807, Article 1, must be provided at the inspection to verify that the installation and labeling of components meet all applicable requirements of this 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:

Fastening of roof mounting system to structural framing members.

Grounding and bonding of panels.

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. 2015-0034, § 1, 2015.)

SECTION 6807 - SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

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

The solar panel or module array shall not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined in the Los Angeles County Planning and Zoning Code, Building Code, and Residential Code, or other applicable legal authority, based on the most restrictive provision.

The submitted plans must comply with Building Code Manual 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.

The photovoltaic system shall be identified and listed for the application as referenced in the Electrical Code.

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

The solar energy system shall also comply with all other applicable Los Angeles County Codes and California health and safety laws.

(Ord. 2015-0034, § 1, 2015.)