San Fernando Municipal Code Div. 14 Performance Standards Relating to Installation of Solar Energy Systems

(a) Any person seeking to install a solar energy system shall file an application for the appropriate permits with the planning director, which shall include supplemental information as may be required by the planning department and this chapter so as to ensure the fullest practicable presentation of facts for evaluation of the application and for the permanent record.

(b) In approving any solar energy system, the planning department may impose conditions which are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Code, and which do not significantly increase the cost or decrease the efficiency of the systems. The conditions shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Any system visible from an existing or future public right-of-way shall present a finished appearance. Installation of a boxed and glazed array of collector panels or boxing of the system with a decorative wood or metal frame or other finishing element as approved by the planning director may be required. For systems not visible from public rights-of-way, no boxing shall be required.

(2) The system, if installed at an angle to the roof, or such that any part projects more than ten inches above the surface of the roof, shall be mounted on the rear roof elevation, and any visible structural members shall be treated with a decorative screen as approved by the planning director, which is architecturally compatible with the existing structure and roofline. Exception: Should the orientation of a particular lot or structure necessitate the mounting of the solar energy system on an alternative elevation in order to achieve an efficient system, measures shall be taken to blend the system into the architecture and roofline of the existing structure. Any such screening or architectural treatment is subject to approval by the planning director.

(3) All supply, return, connecting and other associated pipes and hardware are to be comparable in color with the surface on which they are mounted. Additionally, all supply and return pipes shall be installed such that a minimum amount of linear feet of pipe is on the surface of the roof.

(c) All solar energy systems shall be installed only after approval by the planning director and only after issuance of the necessary building permits and any and all other permits required by the city relating to the plumbing, electrical, and mechanical characteristics of the system.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

(a) Conditions for the installation of solar energy systems on multifamily dwellings, commercial buildings and industrial buildings shall be as follows:

(1) Any person seeking to install a solar energy system on any multifamily, commercial or industrial building shall include plans and location of the system as part of an application for approval by the planning director.

(2) In approving any solar energy system, the planning director may impose conditions which are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Code, and which do not significantly increase the cost or decrease the efficiency of the systems. The conditions shall require that any system visible from any existing or future public right-of-way or any on-site open space area shall be architecturally integrated into the design of the existing structure.

(3) All solar energy systems shall be installed only after approval by the planning director and only after issuance of the necessary building permit and any and all other permits required by the city relating to the plumbing, electrical and mechanical characteristics of the system.

(b) For the installation of mechanical equipment, no heating or cooling equipment, excepting solar collectors and necessary supply and return lines, shall be mounted on the roof.

Exception: Should the installation of any mechanical equipment require that it be mounted on the roof, it shall be mounted on the rear roof elevation and it shall be decoratively screened. The screening shall be architecturally compatible with the existing structure and roofline and shall be approved by the planning director as may be required by this chapter.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)