(a) The City shall implement an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. Review of a completed application shall be limited to the Building Official's review of whether the application meets local, State, and Federal health and safety requirements.
(1) If an application is deemed incomplete, a written corrections notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance shall be sent to the applicant for resubmission.
(b) In coordination with the Planning Department, the Building Official shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, within three City business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a completed application that meets the requirements of the approval checklist and standard plans.
(c) The Building Official may require an applicant to apply for a conditional use permit if the Building Official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the rooftop solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety.
(1) If a conditional use permit is required, the City may deny such application if it 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.
(2) Such decisions may be appealed to the City Council pursuant to the provisions of the conditional use permit process, as that may be revised from time to time.
(d) Any condition imposed on an applicant shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost.
(Ord. 163, passed 8-12-2015)