Piedmont Municipal Code Div. 8.04 Small Residential Rooftop Solar Systems

In this division:

Association means a nonprofit corporation or unincorporated association created for the purpose of managing a common interest development.

Common interest development means any of the following: A. A community apartment project. B. A condominium project. C. A planned development. D. A stock cooperative.

Electronic submittal means submitting the application by electronic mail.

Reasonable restrictions on a solar energy system are those restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or significantly decrease its efficiency or specified performance, or that allow for an alternative system of comparable cost, efficiency, and energy conservation benefits.

Restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or decrease its efficiency or specified performance means:

A. For water heater systems or solar swimming pool heating systems: an amount exceeding 10% of the cost of the system, but in no case more than $1,000, or decreasing the efficiency of the solar energy system by an amount exceeding 10%, as originally specified and proposed.

B. For photovoltaic systems: an amount not to exceed $1,000 over the system cost as originally specified and proposed, or a decrease in system efficiency of an amount exceeding 10% as originally specified and proposed.

Small residential rooftop solar energy system means a solar energy system that meets each of the following requirements:

Chapter 8 – Building, Construction, and Fire Prevention A. is no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or 30 kilowatts thermal;

B. conforms to all applicable state fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the City and all state and City health and safety standards;

C. is installed on a single or duplex family dwelling; and

D. does not exceed the maximum legal building height of the zone the property is located in, as defined in chapter 17.

Solar Energy System means either:

A. A solar collector or other solar energy device whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating, space cooling, electric generation, or water heating; or

B. A 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.

A. This division 8.04 applies to the permitting of each small residential rooftop solar energy system in the city.

B. A small residential rooftop solar energy system legally established or permitted before the effective date of this division is not subject to the requirements of this division unless physical modifications or alterations are undertaken that materially change the size, type, or components of a small rooftop energy system in such a way as to require new permitting. Routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements do not require a permit.

A. A solar energy system must meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by the state and the city.

B. A solar energy system for heating water in single-family residence and for heating water in commercial or swimming pool applications must be certified by an accredited listing agency as defined by the California Plumbing and Mechanical Code.

C. A solar energy system for producing electricity must 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

Chapter 8 – Building, Construction, and Fire Prevention Underwriters Laboratories and, where applicable, rules of the Public Utilities Commission regarding safety and reliability.

A. The city will make available, on the publicly accessible city web site, the documents required for the submission of an expedited solar energy system application.

B. An applicant for a small rooftop solar energy system permit may submit the required permit application and documents electronically.

C. The city will accept an applicant’s electronic signature on all forms, applications, and other documents.

D. The Planning & Building Department will adopt a standard plan and checklist of the requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems must comply to be eligible for expedited review.

E. The small residential rooftop solar system permit process, standard plan(s), and checklist(s) will substantially conform to recommendations for expedited permitting, including the checklist and standard plans contained in the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook adopted by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.

F. The fees prescribed for the permitting of a small residential rooftop solar energy system will comply with Government Code Sections 65850.55, 66015, 66016, and Health and Safety Code Section 17951, as may be amended.

A. The Planning & Building Department shall adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. The Department will issue a building permit within three business days of receipt of a complete application which also meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

B. Review of the application is limited to the Building Official’s review of whether the application meets local, state, and federal health and safety requirements.

C. The city will not condition the approval of an application on the approval of an association.

D. If an application is deemed incomplete, the city will send to the applicant a written correction notice detailing the deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.

Chapter 8 – Building, Construction, and Fire Prevention E. Only one inspection is required and performed by the Building Official for a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review.

F. The inspection will be done in a timely manner and will include consolidated inspections. An inspection will be scheduled within two business days of a request and provide a two-hour inspection window.

G. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized but need not conform to the requirements of this division.

Chapter 8 – Building, Construction, and Fire Prevention