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SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL CODE
PREFACE
Title 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Title 2 ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
Title 3 REVENUE AND FINANCE
Title 4 (Reserved)
Title 5 BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
Title 6 ANIMALS
Title 7 (Reserved)
Title 8 HEALTH AND SAFETY
Title 9 PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE
Title 10 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Title 11 (Reserved)
Title 12 STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES
Title 13 PUBLIC UTILITIES
Title 14 (Reserved)
Title 15 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
Title 16 OIL AND GAS CODE*
Title 17 TRAILER PARKS
Title 18 SUBDIVISIONS*
Title 19 (Reserved)
Title 20 ZONING
Title 21 PUBLIC DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS AND IMPROVEMENT FEES TO BE PAID BY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
STATUTORY REFERENCES FOR CALIFORNIA CITIES
PRIOR CODE CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
ORDINANCE LIST AND DISPOSITION TABLE
Chapter 15.13
   SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS AND EV CHARGER PERMITS
Sections:
   15.13.010   Intent and purpose.
   15.13.020   Definitions.
   15.13.030   Applicability.
   15.13.040   Solar energy system requirements.
   15.13.050   Duties of Building and Safety Division.
   15.13.060   Expedited permit review and inspection requirements.
   15.13.070   Appeals process.
15.13.010   Intent and purpose.
   The City Council adopts all California Code of Regulations, the California Energy Codes, and California Health and Safety Codes related to small size rooftop residential solar, residential energy storage systems, also referred to as ESS, and residential EV charger systems to expedite and streamline plan review, issuance of permits, and inspections. This chapter is designed to encourage the use of such systems in residential occupancies by achieving a timely, cost-effective method to remove unreasonable barriers, minimize costs to property owners in the installation of such energy systems. This chapter allows the city to achieve these goals while protecting the public health and safety.
(Ord. 2022-12-1542 § 7 (part): Ord. 2015-08-1476 § 1 (part))
15.13.020   Definitions.
   Whenever any of the following names or terms are used in this chapter, the California Residential Code or its appendices each such name or term shall be deemed and construed to have meaning ascribed to it in this section as follows:
   A.   "Association" means a nonprofit corporation or unincorporated association created for the purpose of managing a common interest development.
   B.   "Building Department" means the Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department for the City of Signal Hill.
   C.   "Building Official" means the Building Official for the City of Signal Hill or his/her designee.
   D.   "City" means the City of Signal Hill.
   E.   "Common interest development" means any of the following:
   1.   A community apartment project.
   2.   A condominium project.
   3.   A planned development.
   4.   A stock cooperative.
   F.   "Electronic submittal" means the utilization of one or more of the following:
   1.   Email.
   2.   The Internet.
   3.   Facsimile.
   G.   "Expedited permitting," and "expedited review," means the process outlined in Section 15.13.060 entitled "Expedited Permit Review and Inspection Requirements."
   H.   "Reasonable restrictions" on a solar energy system are those restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or significantly decrease its efficiency or specified performance, or that allow for an alternative system of comparable cost, efficiency, and energy conservation benefits.
   I.   "Restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or decrease its efficiency or specified performance" means:
   1.   For Water Heater Systems or Solar Swimming Pool Heating Systems: an amount exceeding ten percent of the cost of the system, but in no case more than one thousand dollars, or decreasing the efficiency of the solar energy system by an amount exceeding ten percent, as originally specified and proposed.
   2.   For Photovoltaic Systems: an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars over the system cost as originally specified and proposed, or a decrease in system efficiency of an amount exceeding ten percent as originally specified and proposed.
   J.   "Small residential rooftop solar energy system" means all of the following:
   1.   A solar energy system that is not 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 (3) 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.
   K.   "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 electricity generation, space heating, space cooling or water heating.
   L.   "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.
   M.   "Energy storage system" or "E.S.S." means one or more components assembled together capable of storing energy and providing electrical energy into the premises wiring system or an electric power production and distribution network.
   N.   "Electric vehicle" or "EV" means an automotive-type vehicle for on road use such as passenger automobiles, trucks, vans, and the like, primarily powered by an electric motor that draws current from a rechargeable storage battery, fuel cell, photovoltaic array, or other source of electrical current.
   O.   "Electric vehicle charger" or "EV charger" means a device that, when electrically coupled (conductive or inductive) to an electrical to an electric vehicle inlet, establishes an electrical connection to the electric vehicle for the purpose of power transfer and information exchange.
(Ord. 2022-12-1542 § 7 (part): Ord. 2015-08-1476 § 1 (part))
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