The purpose of this chapter is to promote and encourage the use of solar energy systems by creating an expedited, streamlined permitting process for installation of small residential rooftop solar energy systems, while promoting public health and safety, and preventing specific adverse impacts that may result from the installation and use of such solar energy systems. This chapter is also purposed to comply with California Government Code Section 65850.5. If amendments to Government Code Section 65850.5 conflict with the provisions of this chapter, then this chapter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with Section 65850.5, as the same may be amended.
(Ord. 1124 § 1, 2018)
"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 or 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 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.
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.
"Solar energy system"
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 redesignated from time to time.
"Electronic submittal"
means the utilization of one or more of the following:
1. 
E-mail;
2. 
The Internet;
3. 
Facsimile.
"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 on another similarly situated application in a prior successful small residential solar energy system permit application.
"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.
(Ord. 1124 § 1, 2018)
The building official shall implement an expedited, streamlined, permitting process for installation of small residential rooftop solar energy systems, and adopt a checklist of all requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply with in order to be eligible for expedited review.
(Ord. 1124 § 1, 2018)
A. 
Prior to submitting an application, the applicant shall provide information required by the city's checklist for installation of small residential rooftop solar energy systems to verify that the installation will not have a specific, adverse impact on public health and safety and building occupants. Verification includes, but is not limited to:
1. 
Verifying (using 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, verifying (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. 
An application that satisfies the information requirements in the city's adopted checklist, as determined by the building official, shall be deemed complete and promptly processed. Upon confirmation by the building official that the permit application and supporting documentation meet the requirements of the city's checklist, and are consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the building official shall approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations within the building official's purview for the installation of a small residential rooftop solar energy system. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the small residential rooftop energy system to the local utility provider's electricity grid without obtaining other approvals that may be required by the city or other entities. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility provider.
C. 
If the building official determines that the permit application is incomplete, he or she 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. 
The city's adopted checklist and permit application shall be published on the city's website. An 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.
(Ord. 1124 § 1, 2018)
A. 
If the building official reviews an application and makes a finding, based on substantial evidence, that the small residential rooftop solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, the city may require the applicant to apply for a conditional use permit. The planning commission shall grant a conditional use permit for installation of a small residential rooftop solar energy system unless the planning commission makes written findings, based on substantial evidence in the record, that the proposed installation would have a significant, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and that there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. The findings shall include the basis for the rejection of potential feasible alternatives for preventing the adverse impact. Any conditions imposed on an application to install a small residential rooftop solar energy system shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety at the lowest cost possible.
B. 
In the technical review of a charging station, the building official or planning commission shall not condition the approval of a small residential rooftop solar energy system installation permit on an association's (as that term is defined by Civil Code Section 4080) approval of the station.
C. 
The building official's decision to approve a permit pursuant to Section 15.52.040(B) above, or to require a conditional use permit pursuant to subsection A of this section, may be appealed to the planning commission.
D. 
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.
(Ord. 1124 § 1, 2018)
A. 
A solar energy system shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by state and local permitting authorities.
B. 
Solar energy systems for heating water in single family residences and solar collectors used for heating water in commercial or swimming pool applications shall be certified by an accredited listing agency as defined in the California Plumbing and Mechanical Codes.
C. 
A solar energy system 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. 1124 § 1, 2018)