A "solar energy system"
means either of the following:
(1) 
Any solar collector or other solar energy device whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating, space cooling, electric generation, or water heating.
(2) 
Any structure design feature of a building, whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation, space heating or cooling, or for water heating.
A "small residential rooftop solar energy system"
means all of the following:
(1) 
A solar energy system that is no larger than ten kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating of thirty 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 of Glendora and all state and Los Angeles County health and safety standards.
(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 city of Glendora.
"Electronic submittal"
means the utilization of one or more of the following:
(1) 
Email.
(2) 
The Internet.
(3) 
Facsimile.
An "association"
means a nonprofit corporation or unincorporated association created for the purpose of managing a common interest development.
A "common interest development"
means any of the following:
(1) 
A community apartment project.
(2) 
A condominium project.
(3) 
A planned development.
(4) 
A stock cooperative.
"Specific, adverse impact"
means a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified, and written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete.
"Reasonable restrictions"
in a solar energy system are those restrictions that do no significantly increase the cost of the system or significantly decrease its efficiency or specified performance, or that allow for an alternative system of comparable cost, efficiency, and energy conservation benefits.
"Restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or decrease its efficiency or specified performance"
means:
(1) 
For water heater systems or solar swimming pool heating systems: an amount exceeding ten percent of the cost of the system, but in no case more than one thousand dollars, or decreasing the efficiency of the solar energy system by an amount exceeding ten percent, as originally specified and proposed.
(2) 
For photovoltaic systems: an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars over the cost as originally specified and proposed, or a decrease in system efficiency of an amount exceeding ten percent as originally specified and proposed.
(Ord. 1998 § 1, 2015)
The purpose of this chapter is to adopt an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process that complies with Solar Rights Act and AB 2188 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014) to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. The chapter encourages the use of solar systems by removing unreasonable barriers, minimizing costs to property owners and the city of Glendora, and expanding the ability of property owners to install solar energy systems. The chapter allows the city of Glendora to achieve these goals while protecting the public health and safety.
(Ord. 1998 § 1, 2015)
This chapter applies to the permitting of all small residential rooftop solar energy systems in the city of Glendora. Small residential rooftop solar energy systems legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter are not subject to the requirements of this chapter unless physical modifications or alterations are undertaken that materially change the size, type or components of a small rooftop energy system in such a way as to require new permitting. Routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements shall not require a permit.
(Ord. 1998 § 1, 2015)
(a) 
All solar energy systems shall meet applicable health and safety standards, and requirements imposed by the state of California and the city of Glendora and Los Angeles County fire department.
(b) 
Solar energy systems for heating water in single-family residences and for heating water in commercial or swimming pool applications shall be certified by an accredited listing agency as defined by the California Plumbing and Mechanical Codes.
(c) 
Solar energy systems for producing electricity shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by the California Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories and, where applicable, rules of the Public Utilities Commission regarding safety and reliability.
(Ord. 1998 § 1, 2015)
(a) 
All documents required for submission of an expedited solar energy system application shall be made available on the publicly accessible city of Glendora website. The permit application form may also be downloaded at energycenter.org/PermittingToolkit.
(b) 
At such time as an electronic plan check submittal procedure is established by the city of Glendora, these submittals will be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applications.
(c) 
At such time as an electronic signature procedure is established by the city of Glendora, an 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 implement the use of plan check submittal requirements, an eligibility checklist, a solar standard plan and an inspection guide checklist, including all requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review.
(e) 
The small residential rooftop solar system permit process, standard plan(s), and checklist(s) shall substantially conform to recommendations for expedited permitting, including the checklist and standard plans contained in the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook adopted by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research.
(f) 
All fees prescribed for the permitting of small residential rooftop solar energy system must comply with Government Code Section 65850.555, Government Code Section 66015, Government Code Section 66016, and State Health and Safety Code Section 17951.
(Ord. 1998 § 1, 2015)
(a) 
The building division shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit within three days of receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the expedited approved checklist and standard plan. The building official may require an applicant to apply for a conditional use permit if the official finds, based on submittal evidence, that the solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety. Such decisions may be appealed to the city of Glendora planning commission.
(b) 
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.
(c) 
If a conditional use permit is required, a building official may deny an application for the use permit if the official makes written findings based upon substantive evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid, as defined, the adverse impact. Such findings shall include the basis for the rejection of the potential feasible alternative for preventing the adverse impact. Such decisions may be appealed to the city of Glendora planning commission.
(d) 
Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost.
(e) 
"A feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact" includes, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition, or mitigation imposed by the city of Glendora on another similarly situated application in a prior successful application for a permit. The city shall use its best efforts to ensure that the selected method, condition, or mitigation meets the conditions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 714 of the Civil Code defining restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or decrease its efficiency or specified performance.
(f) 
The city shall not condition approval of an application on the approval of an association, as defined in Section 4080 of the Civil Code.
(g) 
If an application is deemed incomplete, a written plan check correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance shall be given to the applicant for resubmission.
(h) 
Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the building division for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review. On some submittals a separate fire inspection may be required and performed by the Los Angeles County fire department for their safety requirements.
(i) 
The inspection shall be done in a timely manner and should include consolidated inspections. An inspection will be scheduled within two business days of a request and provide a two-hour inspection window.
(j) 
If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized but need not conform to the requirements of this chapter. If additional inspections are required a re-inspection fee may apply.
(Ord. 1998 § 1, 2015)