A. Prior to submitting an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system, the applicant shall:
1. Verify to the applicant'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
2. At the applicant's cost, verify to the applicant'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.
B. An application that satisfies the requirements of the application checklist prepared by the building division pursuant to subsection 7-8-3D of this chapter, 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.
C. Upon the determination by the building official that the application is complete, the building official shall approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.
1. The city shall not condition approval of an application on the approval of an association, as defined in Civil Code section 4080.
2. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the small residential rooftop solar 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.
D. If the building official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the small residential rooftop solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety, the building official shall require the applicant to apply for a use permit.
1. If a use permit is required, the building official may not deny the application for the use permit unless the building 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 adverse impact. Such findings shall include the basis for the rejection of the potential feasible alternative for preventing the adverse impact.
2. Any condition imposed on a use permit shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost.
3. The applicant may appeal to the planning commission a decision by the building official to require a use permit, or a decision to deny a use permit.
E. Only one inspection shall be required for a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, which shall be performed in a timely manner. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized but need not conform to the requirements of this section. (Ord. 15-1005)