9-400.060 - SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY INSTALLATIONS

This Section establishes development standards and expedited permit review procedures for small rooftop solar energy solar energy systems, which are allowed by-right under State law.

(a)

Expedited Administrative Review. After receipt of a complete application, only a Zoning Compliance Review is required for issuance of a building permit, and the building permitting process shall be streamlined with use of checklists to determine compliance with standards and eligibility for expedited review. Absent any specific, adverse impact findings, the Building Official shall administratively approve an application for a small rooftop solar energy installation that meets the standards of this section and is eligible for expedited review and issue all required permits or authorizations.

(1)

Approval for Connection to the Electricity Grid. The Building Official's approval of a building permit application does not authorize an applicant to connect a small residential rooftop solar energy system to the local utility provider's electricity grid. The applicant may need to contact the local utility provider for approval prior to activating the system.

(2)

Inspections. Only one building inspection of an installation eligible for expedited review shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection, except that a separate fire safety inspection may be required if the County that does not have an agreement with the local fire authority to conduct a fire safety inspection on behalf of the fire authority. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized.

(b)

Conformance to Codes Required. The installation must meet all applicable requirements of the State fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes, as adopted by the County.

(c)

Locations Allowed. A small residential rooftop energy system may be installed on any single family, duplex dwelling, or similar unit.

(d)

Maximum Generating Capacity. Not to exceed 10 kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or 30 kilowatts thermal.

(e)

Maximum Height.

(1)

On Single-Unit Lots. A small residential rooftop solar energy system may extend up to five feet above the height limit in the zone in which it is located. Solar water or swimming pool heating systems may extend up to seven feet above the height limit in the zone in which it is located.

(2)

On All Other Lots. A small residential rooftop solar energy system may extend up to five feet above the roof surface on which they are installed, even if this exceeds the maximum height limit in the zone in which it is located. Solar water or swimming pool heating systems may extend up to seven feet above the roof surface on which they are installed even if this exceeds the maximum height limit in the zone in which it is located.

(f)

No Other Approval Required. Approval of a small rooftop solar energy system by an association, as the term is defined in Section 4080 of the Civil Code, is not required for issuance of a building permit.

(g)

Required Setbacks. Excluding solar collector panels, solar energy system equipment may be installed within a required side and rear setback, but must not be closer than three feet to any lot line.