Tulare Municipal Code Ch. 4.96 Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems

The purpose of this chapter is to adopt an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process that complies with Cal. Gov't Code § 65850.5, to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. The chapter encourages the use of solar systems by establishing prescriptive guidelines, minimizing costs to property owners and the City of Tulare, and expanding the ability of property owners to install solar energy systems.

(Ord. 15-08, passed 10-6-2015)

The following words and phrases as used in this section are defined as follows:

ELECTRONIC SUBMITTAL. The utilization of one or more of the following:

(1) E-mail;

(2) The internet;

(3) Facsimile.

SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. All of the following:

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

(2) 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 Cal. Civil Code § 714(c)(iii), as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time to time.

(3) A solar energy system that is installed on a single or duplex family dwelling.

(4) A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the authority having jurisdiction.

(5) SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM has the same meaning set forth in Cal. Civil Code § 801.5(a) (1) and (2), as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time to time.

(Ord. 15-08, passed 10-6-2015)

(A) Cal. Gov't Code § 65850.5 provides that, on or before September 30, 2015, every city, county, or city and county shall adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.

(B) Cal. Gov't Code § 65850.5 provides that in developing an expedited permitting process, the city, county, or city and county shall adopt a checklist of all requirements with which small rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review.

(C) The checklist shall be published on the city's internet website. The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the city's building division by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees. In the case of electronic submittal, the electronic signature of the applicant on all forms, applications and other documentation may be used in lieu of a wet signature.

(D) Prior to submitting an application, the applicant shall:

(1) Verify to the applicant's reasonable satisfaction 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 system to the building foundation; and

(2) At the applicant's cost, verify to the applicant's reasonable satisfaction 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.

(E) For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection by the Building Official and Fire Chief. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized; however the subsequent inspection need not conform to the requirements of this subsection.

(F) An application that satisfies the information requirements in the checklist, as determined by the Building Official, shall be deemed complete. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the Building Official shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.

(G) Upon confirmation by the Building Official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the small residential rooftop energy system to the local utility provider's electricity grid. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility provider.

(Ord. 15-08, passed 10-6-2015)