Pomona Municipal Code § 74-300 Expedited permit review and inspection requirements

(a) All solar energy systems shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by the city and the State of California.

(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. No. 4209, § 1, 9-14-2015)

(a) All documents required for the submission of an expedited small residential rooftop solar energy system application shall be made available on the city's publicly accessible website.

(b) Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents via email, the city's website, or facsimile shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.

(c) An applicant's electronic signature shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature.

(d) The building division shall adopt a standard plan and checklist of all requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply with to be eligible for expedited review.

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

(f) All fees prescribed for the permitting of small residential rooftop solar energy systems must comply with Government Code Sections 65850.55 and 66015 and Health & Safety Code Section 17951.

(Ord. No. 4209, § 1, 9-14-2015)

(a) The building division shall adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite the approval of small residential rooftop solar energy system applications within 30 days of adoption of this article. For an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, the building division shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit within three business days.

(b) Review of the application shall be limited to the building official's review of whether the applicant meets local, state and federal health and safety requirements.

(c) Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost. The city shall use its best efforts to ensure that the selected method, condition, or mitigation meets the conditions of Civil Code Section 714(d)(1)(A)-(B).

(d) The city shall not condition the approval of an application on the approval of an association as defined in Civil Code Section 4080.

(e) If an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system is deemed incomplete, a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permitting shall be sent to the applicant for resubmission.

(f) Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the building division for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.

(g) The inspection shall be done in a timely manner and should include consolidated inspections. An inspection will be scheduled within two business days of a request.

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

(Ord. No. 4209, § 1, 9-14-2015)