(A) The Building Department shall adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite the approval of small residential rooftop solar energy system applications within 30 days of adoption of this chapter. For an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, the Building Department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit in a timely manner and no later than five working days from the day of submittal. A Building Official may require an applicant to apply for a use permit if the Official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety. Such decisions may be appealed pursuant to the procedures outlined in § 150.011 of this Code.
(B) Review of the application shall be limited to the Building Official's review of whether the applicant meets local, state and federal health and safety requirements.
(C) If a 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 the specific, 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 pursuant to procedures outlined in § 150.011 of this Code.
(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. The city shall use its best efforts to ensure that the selected method, condition, or mitigation meets the conditions of Cal. Civil Code § 714(d)(l)(A)-(B).
(E) The City shall not condition the approval of an application on the approval of an association as defined in Cal. Civil Code § 4080.
(F) If an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system 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 permitting shall be sent to the applicant for resubmission.
(G) Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the Building Department for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.
(H) 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 will provide the applicant with a two-hour inspection window.
(I) If the small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, subsequent inspection(s) is/are authorized and re-inspection fees may be assessed if the installation repeatedly fails to meet the safety standards of the Building and Electrical Codes or if access to the work site is limited or restricted repeatedly.
(Ord. 1380, passed 9-16-15)