Redwood City Municipal Code § 9.213 Applicability

The purpose of this Article is to adopt an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process that complies with the Solar Rights Act and AB 2188 to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of residential rooftop solar energy systems. This Article encourages the use of solar energy systems by removing unreasonable barriers, minimizing costs to property owners and the City, and expanding the ability of property owners to install solar energy systems. This Article allows the City to achieve these goals while protecting the public health and safety.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

For the purposes of this Article, certain terms are used herein as defined below.

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 and includes use of email, the internet and/or facsimile.

FEASIBLE METHOD TO SATISFACTORILY MITIGATE OR AVOID THE SPECIFIC, ADVERSE IMPACT: Includes, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition, or mitigation imposed by the City on another similarly situated application in a prior successful application for a permit. The City shall use its best efforts to ensure that the selected method, condition, or mitigation meets the conditions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 714 of the Civil Code defining restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or decrease its efficiency or specified performance.

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. For the purposes of this definition, "significantly" means:

A. For Water Heater Systems or Solar Swimming Pool Heating Systems: an amount exceeding ten percent (10%) of the cost of the system, but in no case more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or decreasing the efficiency of the solar energy system by an amount exceeding ten percent (10%) of the original specifications.

B. For Photovoltaic Systems: an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) over the system cost as originally specified and proposed, or decreasing the efficiency of the solar energy system by an amount exceeding ten percent (10%) percent of the original specifications.

RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM: Means and includes:

A. A solar energy system that is no larger than ten percent (10%) kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or thirty (30) kilowatts thermal.

B. 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 all State and City health and safety standards.

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

D. A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the City.

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM: Means and includes:

A. Any 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, electricity generation, or water heating.

B. Any 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.

SPECIFIC, ADVERSE IMPACT: Means a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified, and written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

A. This Article applies to the permitting of all residential rooftop solar energy systems in the City.

B. Residential rooftop solar energy systems legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this Article is derived are not subject to the requirements of this Article unless physical modifications or alterations are undertaken that materially change the size, type, or components of a residential rooftop energy system in such a way as to require new permitting. Routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements shall not require a permit.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

A. All solar energy systems shall meet applicable health and safety standards 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. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

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 shall be made available to all applicants for residential rooftop solar energy system permits.

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

D. The City's Building Department shall adopt a standard plan and checklist of all requirements with which residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review.

E. The residential rooftop solar energy system permit process, standard plan(s), and checklist(s) shall 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. All fees prescribed for the permitting of residential rooftop solar energy systems must comply with Government Code Sections 65850.55, 66015, 66016, and Health and Safety Code Section 17951.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

A. The Building Official shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit the same day for over-the-counter applications or within one (1) to three (3) business days of receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan for electronic applications.

B. Review of the application shall be limited to the Building Official's review of whether the application meets local, State, and Federal health and safety requirements.

C. Notwithstanding the foregoing Subsection B., the Building Official may require an applicant to apply for a use permit if the official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the residential rooftop solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety. The Zoning Administrator shall determine whether or not a use permit should be issued, as per Article 42 of the City's Zoning Ordinance. If a use permit is required, the Zoning Administrator may deny an application for the use permit if the Zoning Administrator makes written findings based upon substantive evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid, as defined, the adverse impact. Such findings shall include the basis for the rejection of the potential feasible alternative for preventing the adverse impact. Such decisions may be appealed to the Planning Commission.

1. Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost.

2. Approval of an application shall not be conditioned on the approval of an association, as defined in Section 4080 of the Civil Code.

3. Applications for use permits are subject to the procedures described in Article 42 of the City's Zoning Ordinance.

D. Only one (1) inspection shall be required and performed by the Building Department for residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.

E. The inspection shall be done in a timely manner and should include consolidated inspections. Upon request, an inspection shall be scheduled within two (2) business days, subject to delays due to a high volume of requests. On the day of the inspection, a two-hour window will be provided for the inspector's arrival.

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

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)