The purpose of this chapter is to establish an expedited permitting procedure for small residential rooftop solar systems to assist with timely and cost-effective installations.
(Ord. 902 § 1, 2015)
The following definitions shall govern all terms of this chapter and shall supersede any term otherwise defined in this chapter:
means the utilization of one or more of the following:
means all of the following:
A solar energy system that is no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or 30 kilowatts thermal.
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 paragraph (iii) of subdivision (c) of Section 714 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time to time.
A solar energy system that is installed on a single- or duplex-family dwelling.
A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the authority having jurisdiction.
has the same meaning set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 801.5 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or re-designated from time to time.
(Ord. 902 § 1, 2015)
A.
All documents required for the submission of an expedited small solar energy system application shall be made available on the city's Internet website.
B.
Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents by email shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
C.
The electronic signature of an applicant, engineer, architect, or contractor shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature.
D.
The building and safety division shall develop a checklist of all requirements that small rooftop solar energy systems must comply with to be eligible for expedited review.
(Ord. 902 § 1, 2015)
A.
Prior to submitting an application, the applicant shall:
1.
Verify satisfaction 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 maintenance thereof; 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.
B.
For a project complying with the checklist for a small residential rooftop solar energy system the applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the city's building safety division by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal.
C.
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.
D.
Upon confirmation by the building official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirement of the checklist, the building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. Such approval shall not include any necessary approval or permission by a local utility provider to connect the small residential rooftop energy system to the provider's electricity grid. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility provider.
(Ord. 902 § 1, 2015)