Chapter 15.90
SOLAR PERMITS
Sections:
15.90.020 Small residential rooftop solar energy system permitting process.
15.90.010 Definitions.
The following words and phrases as used in this chapter are defined as follows:
(a) “Electronic submittal” means the utilization of one or more of the following:
(1) E-mail.
(2) The Internet.
(3) Facsimile.
(b) “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 structural design feature of a building, 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.
(c) “Small residential rooftop solar energy system” qualifies as such if it meets all of the following:
(1) A solar energy system that is no larger than ten kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or thirty (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.
(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.
(d) “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. 1944 § 1, 9-22-15).
15.90.020 Small residential rooftop solar energy system permitting process.
(a) The Building Official is authorized and directed to develop and adopt a checklist of all requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The applicant shall submit the permit application and associated documentation to the City together with any required permit processing, plan review and inspection fees.
(b) Prior to submitting an application, the applicant shall perform the following:
(1) At the applicant’s cost, verify using standard engineering evaluation techniques that the support structure for the small residential rooftop solar energy system is stable and adequate to transfer all dead, live, wind and seismic loads associated with the system to the building foundation; and
(2) At the applicant’s cost, verify 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, is adequately sized, based on the existing electrical system’s current use, to carry all new photovoltaic electrical loads.
(c) The Building Official shall determine the completion of an application. 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 approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. If an application is deemed incomplete, 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) 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.
(e) The City may require a use permit upon finding, based on substantial evidence, that the solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact, as defined in this chapter, upon public health and safety.
(f) The City may not deny an application for a use permit under this chapter unless the City makes written findings 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 of preventing the adverse impact. (Ord. 1944 § 1, 9-22-15).