Chapter 15.60 — 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. 15-02, § 2(Exh. A), 11-20-15)

The following expedited, streamlined permit process applies to applications for a building permit to install a small residential rooftop solar energy system: A. Application. The City Building Official will make the following available on the City 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 City 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 City 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 compliance 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 City 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 City Building Official that a small residential rooftop solar energy system has been installed under a building permit, the City Building Official will inspect the system to verify compliance with the building permit. If the City Building Official determines that the system was not installed in compliance with the building permit, the City 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 City Building Official verifies in writing that it complies with the building permit. E. For purposes of this chapter, a "small residential rooftop solar energy system" means a solar energy system that meets all of the following requirements: 1.

The system is no larger than ten (10) kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating, or thirty (30) kilowatts thermal; and 2. The system, including its installation, conforms to all applicable fire, building, electrical, and other standard codes in Title 15 of this Code: and 3. The system conforms to all applicable requirements of Civil Code section 714; and 4. The system is located on a rooftop of a detached single-family dwelling or a duplex; and 5. The system, when installed on a rooftop, does not exceed the building height limit of the zoning district in which it is located. (Ord. No. 15-02, § 2(Exh. A), 11-20-15)

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. 15-02, § 2(Exh. A), 11-20-15)