Riverside Municipal Code Ch. 16.22 Solar Streamlined Permitting Process

The purpose of this ordinance is to create an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process that complies with the Solar Rights Act and AB 2188 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014) to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems.

(Ord. 7297 §2, 2015)

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

B. Small residential rooftop solar energy systems legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of this ordinance are not subject to the requirements of this ordinance 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 a new permit.

(Ord. 7297 §2, 2015)

For the purpose of this chapter, words and terms shall be defined as set forth in this section. Where terms are not defined in this Code and are defined in other codes, such terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them as in those codes. Where terms are not defined through the methods authorized by this section, such terms shall have ordinary accepted meanings such as the context implies.

Electronic submittal means the utilization of the following:

A. Any computer based electronic plan review software program maintained, operated, and utilized by the City.

Kilowatt Thermal refers to:

A. A unit of measurement to approximate the amount of energy produced by solar thermal collector. Each square meter of collector space equals 0.7 kilowatt-thermal.

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

A. A solar energy system that is no larger than ten kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or 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 of Riverside and all state and City of Riverside health and safety standards.

C. A solar energy system that is installed on the roof of 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 of Riverside.

Solar energy system means either of the following:

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, electric 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.

(Ord. 7748, § 40, 2025; Ord. 7297 §2, 2015)

A. All solar energy systems shall meet all applicable health and safety standards and the requirements imposed by the state and the City, local fire department, and utility director.

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. 7297 §2, 2015)

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 through City utilized computer based software 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 and Safety Division shall adopt a standard plan and checklist of all requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review.

E. The small residential rooftop solar system permit process, standard plan(s), and checklist 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.

(Ord. 7297 §2, 2015)

A. Prior to submitting a permit application, the Applicant shall:

1. Verify, through the use of standard engineering evaluation techniques, that the support structure for the small residential rooftop solar energy system is stable and adequate to transfer all wind, seismic, and dead and live loads associated with the installation and the maintenance thereof; and

2. Verify, using standard electrical inspection techniques, that the existing electrical system including existing line, load, ground and bonding wiring as well as main panel and subpanel sizes are adequately sized, based on the existing electrical system's current use, to carry all new photovoltaic electrical loads.

3. If a permit application is deemed incomplete, a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the permit application and any additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance shall be sent to the applicant for resubmission.

B. Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the Building and Safety Division for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited permit review. The inspection shall be done in a timely manner.

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

(Ord. 7297 §2, 2015)