Manteca Municipal Code Ch. 15.60 Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems

Building Department.

Whenever the term "building department" or "building safety division" is used in this code it means the city of Manteca building safety division.

Building Official.

The individual invested with the responsibility for overseeing and enforcing applicable life safety codes, and building codes, laws, and statutes. The building official is charged with the administration of the building department, interpretation of code requirements, and direction of the code adoption process.

The building official, under the direction of the community development director is the individual who plans, coordinates and directs the operations and activities of the building department; implements city activities assuring compliance with building standards including plan check, inspection, and corrections to hazards; oversees and participates in inspections; oversees the review and approval of building plans and specifications; implements goals, policies, and procedures for the division.

The building official is responsible for the administration, interpretation, and enforcement of California Code of Regulations, Title 24, and other applicable codes in accordance with Health and Safety Code Sections 18949 and 17920, and California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2, Section 202.

Whenever the term "building official" or "building inspector" is used in the code, it means the chief building official in charge of the building safety division.

City.

Whenever the term "municipality" or "city" is used, it means the city of Manteca.

Electronic Submittal.

"Electronic submittal" means the utilization of one or more of the following:

E-mail;

Facsimile;

The Internet.

Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy System.

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

A solar energy system that is no larger than ten kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or thirty kilowatts thermal.

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 (iii) of subdivision (c) of Section 714 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time to time.

A solar energy system that is installed on a single-or duplex-family dwelling.

A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the authority having jurisdiction.

"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 redesignated from time to time.

(Ord. 1567 § 1, 2015)

The purpose of this chapter is to adopt an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process that complies with the Solar Rights Act and AB 2188 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014) to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. The city through this chapter encourages the use of solar systems by removing barriers and expanding the ability of property owners to install solar energy systems.

(Ord. 1567 § 1, 2015)

This chapter applies to the permitting of all small residential rooftop solar energy systems in the city.

(Ord. 1567 § 1, 2015)

A. All solar energy systems shall meet applicable health and safety standards, regulations, codes, and requirements imposed by the state and the city.

B. Solar energy systems for heating water in single-family residences and for heating water in commercial or swimming pool applications shall be certified by an accredited listing agency as defined by the California Plumbing and Mechanical Code.

C. 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.

(Ord. 1567 § 1, 2015)

A. All documents required for the submission of an expedited solar energy system application shall be made available on the publicly accessible city website.

B. Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents by email or facsimile shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.

C. The electronic signature of an applicant, engineer, architect, or contractor shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature.

D. Section 65850.5 of the California Government Code provides that in developing an expedited permitting process, the city, county, or city and county shall adopt a checklist of all requirements with which small rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The building official shall adopt a standard plan and checklist of all requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The checklist shall be published on the city's Internet website.

(Ord. 1567 § 1, 2015)

A. Prior to submitting an application, the applicant shall:

1. Verify satisfaction through the use of standard engineering evaluation techniques that the support structure for the small residential rooftop solar energy system is stable and adequate to transfer all wind, seismic, and dead and live loads associated with the system to the building foundation; and

2. At the applicant's cost, use standard electrical inspection techniques that the existing electrical system including existing line, load, ground and bonding wiring as well as main panel and subpanel sizes are adequately sized, based on the existing electrical system's current use, to carry all new photovoltaic electrical loads.

B. For a project complying with the checklist for a small residential rooftop solar energy system the applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the city's building division by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal together with the required permit processing and inspection fees.

C. An application that satisfies the information requirements in the checklist, as determined by the building official, shall be deemed complete. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the building official shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.

D. Upon confirmation by the building official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits and/or authorizations. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the small residential rooftop solar energy system to the local utility provider's electricity grid. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility provider after requesting and obtaining a final inspection and receiving final approval on the inspection record.

E. For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner. 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 subsection. Also, subsequent inspections, after the first, shall be charged a reasonable inspection fee as determined by the building official in accordance with the currently adopted fee schedule.

(Ord. 1567 § 1, 2015)