Yuba County Municipal Code Art. 3 Solar Energy System Requirements for Eligibility for Expedited, Streamline…

In order to be eligible for Yuba County's expedited solar energy system permitting process, applicants shall:

(1) Be current California State Licensed contractor specializing in photovoltaic or solar water heating systems;

(2) Complete all required documents for submittal, including:

a. A permit application;

b. All required checklists;

The County will make available all required documents both electronically and in hardcopy;

(3) Mark "Yes" on all of the items listed on the eligibility checklist. NOTE: Items that are marked "no" will not be eligible and the application will go through the standard process. However, the applicant may revise the system design to meet eligibility requirements;

(4) Install the solar system as a flush-mount on a qualifying roof of a one- or two-family dwelling;

a. The roof shall be in a location with zero snow load; elevation shall be less than 1,400 feet;

b. The roof, if composition shingles, shall not have more than one layer of roofing present (there shall be no additional layers of roofing);

(5) The solar system shall not exceed the maximum allowable legal building height prescribed by the Yuba County Ordinance Code;

(6) The use of the system shall be for on-site consumption only.

(Ord. No. 1548)

Solar systems shall, at a minimum, meet the following requirements:

(1) Electrical systems.

a. A solar energy system that is no larger than a maximum output of 10 kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or less.

b. Where source circuit fusing is included in the inverter a maximum of four PV module strings may connect to each Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) input.

c. Fuses shall be rated to the series fuse rating of the PV module.

d. Where source circuit fusing is not included in the inverter a maximum of two PV module strings may connect to each MPPT input.

e. No more than one noninverter-integrated DC combiner shall be used per inverter.

f. No more than two inverters shall be utilized for central inverter systems.

g. The PV System shall only be interconnected to the load side of a single-phase AC service panel of nominal 120/240Vac with a bus bar rating of 225Amp or less.

h. The system shall be utility interactive and shall not use batteries.

(2) Water heating systems.

a. A solar energy system that is no larger than 30kWth (462 square feet of collector) or less;

b. The solar collectors shall be certified by an accredited list agency.

c. The heat transfer fluid shall be water or may be a non-toxic substitute at the discretion of the Building Official.

(3) Structural.

a. A completed Structural Criteria Worksheet and supporting documentation shall be submitted with the application.

(4) Fire-safe.

a. A solar energy system that provides diagrams that identify:

1. Roof layout of all panels, modules and disconnecting means.

2. Clear access pathways and roof access points.

3. Fire classification of components and roofing material.

4. All required markings and labels.

(Ord. No. 1548)

(a) The Building Official shall provide standardized plans and checklists for applicants, of all requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review.

(b) The permit application and supporting documents required for the submission of an expedited solar energy system application shall be made available at the counter as well as on the Yuba County Website.

(c) Electronic submittal of the required documents shall be accepted by the Building Official and the applicant's electronic signature shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature.

(d) The Building Official shall use the standardized plans and checklists, contained in the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook adopted by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research along with any local modifications the Building Official deems necessary to carry out the intent of AB2188.

(e) Fees for solar systems, including small residential rooftop solar energy systems for expedited review, shall be set by ordinance and shall be listed in Title XIII of the Yuba County Ordinance Code.

(Ord. No. 1548)

(a) Applications for small residential rooftop solar energy systems for expedited review shall take priority over other building permit application submissions.

(b) The review and approval of required documents, where deemed complete, shall be completed within three working days of receipt and the permit issued.

(c) 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 as outlined in the standard plans and checklists.

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

(e) It shall be the duty of the holder of the building permit or their duly authorized agent to notify the Building Official when work is ready for inspection. Inspections will generally be performed the following business day after the request has been received, except that Inspections may be performed the same business day when requested through the County's automated IVR system no later than 7:00 a.m. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to provide access to and means for inspections of such work that are required by this Code.

(f) Inspection for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review shall be consolidated into one (1) inspection which shall be performed by the Building Department. The one inspection shall be performed as a final inspection.

Exception: A separate fire inspection may be performed if an agreement with the local fire authority does not exist to perform safety inspections on behalf of the fire authority.

(g) If the inspection fails, subsequent inspections need not conform to the requirements of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 1548)