(A) Where installed. Solar photovoltaic power systems shall comply with the requirements of the 2022 California Residential Code, 2022 California Electrical Code, 2022 California Building Code, 2022 California Fire Code and California State Fire Marshal Solar Photovoltaic Installation Guidelines (the “Solar Photovoltaic Installation Guideline,” published April 22, 2008).
(B) The city may impose fees related to solar/photovoltaic power systems and from time to time amend said fees by resolution.
(C) Small residential rooftop solar energy system review process.
(1) The following words and phrases as used in this section are defined as follows:
ELECTRONIC SUBMITTAL. The utilization of one or more of the following:
1. E-mail;
2. The internet;
3. Facsimile.
SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. Includes all of the following:
1. A solar energy system that is no larger than ten kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or 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 and paragraph (iii) of subdivision (c) of § 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 § 801.5 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time to time.
(2) Section 65850.5 of the California Government Code provides that in developing an expedited permitting process, the city, county, or city and county shall adopt a checklist of all requirements with which small rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The building official is hereby authorized and directed to develop and adopt such checklist.
(3) The checklist shall be published on the city’s internet website. The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the city’s building division by personal 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.
(4) Prior to submitting an application, the applicant shall:
(a) Verify to the city’s reasonable satisfaction through the use 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
(b) At the applicant’s cost, verify to the city’s reasonable satisfaction 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.
(5) 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 Inspector and Fire Department designee. 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.
(6) An application that satisfies the information requirements in the checklist, as determined by the building official, shall be deemed complete. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, 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.
(7) 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 administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations within one to three working days in which the permit application is submitted. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the small residential rooftop energy system to the local utility provider’s electricity grid. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility provider.
(Ord. 2020-003, passed 2-11-20; Am. Ord. 2023-001, passed 1-24-23)