Chapter 17.10 — EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCEDURES FOR SMALL RESIDENTIAL

In accordance with California Government Code Section 65850.5, subdivision (j), the following words and phrases

as used in this chapter are deZned as follows:

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

 1.   E-mail;

 2.  The Internet;

 3.   Facsimile.

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

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

 kilowatts thermal.

 2.  A solar energy system that conforms to all applicable state Zre, 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 or redesignated from time to time.

 3.  A solar 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 as deZned by the

  city.

C. "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.

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 17 Building and Construction | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 34 of 170

(Ord. 2549 NCS §1, 2015.)

Subdivision (g), paragraph (1) of Section 65850.5 of the California Government Code provides that on or before

September 30, 2015, every city, county or city and county shall adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited,

streamlined permitting process for small rooftop solar energy systems. The purpose of this chapter is to create an

expedited, streamlined permitting process for small rooftop solar energy systems in accordance with the

requirements of California Government Code Section 65850.5. (Ord. 2549 NCS §1, 2015.)

Subdivision (g), paragraph (1) of Section 65850.5 of the California Government Code provides that in developing an

expedited permitting process, every 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 o\cial

shall prepare and the city hereby adopts by reference the checklist prepared by the building o\cial pursuant to

this section which shall be substantially in conformance with the checklists contained in the most current version

as of the adoption of this chapter of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook adopted by the Governor’s O\ce of

Planning and Research. In accordance with Subdivision (g), paragraph (2) of Section 65850.5 of the California

Government Code, the building o\cial may recommend and the city may adopt by amendment to this chapter a

checklist that modiZes the checklists contained in the Guidebook based on unique climactic, geological,

seismological or topographical conditions present in the city. Checklists adopted in accordance with this section

shall be published on the city’s Internet website and be available at the building division counter. (Ord. 2549 NCS

§1, 2015.)

In order to help ensure that residential rooftop solar systems do not have adverse impacts upon the public health

or safety, and to help expedite city inspection and approval of proposed residential solar systems, prior to

submitting an application, the applicant shall:

A. Verify to applicant’s reasonable satisfaction through the use of standard engineering techniques that the

support structure for the small residential rooftop solar system is stable and adequate to transfer all wind,

seismic, and dead and live loads associated with the system to the building foundation; and

B. At the applicant’s cost, verify to the applicant’s reasonable satisfaction using standard electrical inspection

techniques that the existing residential electrical system including line, load, ground and bonding conductors as

well as the main panel and any subpanels are adequately sized, based on the electrical system’s current use, to

carry all new photovoltaic electrical loads.

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 17 Building and Construction | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 35 of 170

(Ord. 2549 NCS §1, 2015.)

Applicants may submit a permit application and associated documentation to the city’s building division using any

means accepted by the city, including electronic means once the city is adequately equipped to receive electronic

submittal of permit applications and associated documentation, including electronic signatures. As of the adoption

of this chapter, the city is unable to receive permit applications electronically because the city has not obtained

and implemented the software tools necessary to permit electronic permit applications. All forms requiring a

signature must be signed by the applicant. (Ord. 2549 NCS §1, 2015.)

In accordance with California Government Code Section 65850.5, subdivision (h), for small residential rooftop solar

energy systems eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely

manner and may be consolidated with any applicable Zre department inspection. If a small residential rooftop

solar energy system fails inspection, the city may order subsequent inspection(s) as appropriate. (Ord. 2549 NCS

§1, 2015.)

An application that satisZes the information requirements in the checklist, as determined by the building o\cial,

shall be deemed complete. Upon the receipt of an incomplete application, the building o\cial shall issue a written

correction notice detailing all deZciencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible

for expedited permit issuance. (Ord. 2549 NCS §1, 2015.)

A. In accordance with California Government Code Section 65850.5, subdivision (b), city review of applications to

install residential solar energy systems that have been completed in accordance with the requirements of this

chapter shall be limited to the building o\cial’s review of whether the proposed installation meets all health and

safety requirements of local, state and federal law. Requirements imposed on applications pursuant to this

chapter will be limited to those standards and regulations necessary to ensure that the solar energy system will

not have a speciZc, adverse impact upon the public health or safety. In accordance with California Government

Code Section 65850.5, subdivision (e), conditions the building o\cial imposes on applications pursuant to this

chapter and other applicable law shall be designed to mitigate speciZc, adverse impacts upon the public health

and safety at the lowest cost possible.

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 17 Building and Construction | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 36 of 170

B. In accordance with California Government Code Section 65850.5(f), residential solar energy systems approved

pursuant to this chapter shall meet all applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by state

and local permitting authorities, including the following:

 1.   Solar energy systems for heating water in single family residences and solar collectors used for heating

water in swimming pool applications shall be certiZed by an accredited listing agency as deZned in the

 California Plumbing and Mechanical Codes.

 2.  A solar energy system 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. Upon conZrmation by the building o\cial that the application and supporting documentation is complete

and meets the requirements of the checklist, the building o\cial shall administratively approve the application

and issue all required permits and authorizations. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the

small residential rooftop energy system to the local utility provider’s electrical grid. The applicant is responsible for

obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility provider. Issuance of all city-required permits and

authorizations shall be subject to payment of any applicable permit processing and inspection fees.

(Ord. 2549 NCS §1, 2015.)