A. Definitions.
1. “Electronic submittal” shall have the same meaning as provided in the Solar Rights Act, Government Code Section 65850.5(j)(2), as the same may be amended from time to time, and shall include e-mail, Internet or facsimile.
2. “Small residential rooftop solar energy system” shall have the same meaning as provided in the Solar Rights Act, Government Code Section 65850.5(j)(3), as the same may be amended from time to time.
B. Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy System Standard Plan and Permit Application Checklist.
1. The city shall adopt standard plans and checklists of all requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The small residential rooftop solar system standard plans and checklists shall substantially conform to recommendations for expedited permitting, including the checklists and standard plans contained in the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook adopted by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
2. All documents required for the submission of a small residential rooftop solar energy system permit application, the standard plans, and checklists shall be made available on the publicly accessible city website.
3. The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the city’s building division in person, by mail or by electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees. Electronic permit applications shall be submitted through the method of electronic submittal specified by the building official and shall be available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants. An applicant’s electronic signature shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature.
C. Permit Application Review.
1. An application that satisfies the information requirements in the checklists and standard plans shall be deemed complete.
2. If an application 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 permit issuance shall be sent to the applicant for resubmission.
3. The building official shall issue a building permit for any complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklists and standard plans as follows: the same day for over-the-counter applications, within one to three business days for electronic applications, or as soon thereafter as may be practicable. Review of the application shall be limited to the building official’s review of whether the application meets local, state, and federal health and safety requirements. The applicant is responsible for obtaining any approval or permission necessary to connect the small residential rooftop solar energy system to the local utility provider’s system.
4. Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost.
D. Inspection Requirements.
1. Inspection requests may be submitted by electronic submittal, as required by the building official.
2. Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the building official for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.
3. The inspection shall be done in a timely manner. The building official shall use his or her best efforts to schedule an inspection within two business days of a request and provide a two-hour inspection window.
4. 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.
E. Fees. Fees for permits and inspections associated with this chapter may be established by resolution of the city council.
F. Applicability. The provisions of this chapter supersede any inconsistent provisions of the Uniform Code for Solar Energy Installation. (Ord. 337 § 1, 2015)