City Council
MEETING DATE: 7/22/2015
TITLE:
Title
Proposed Ordinance Regarding "Permitting for Rooftop Solar Systems"
End
FROM:
Charles Green, City Attorney
Katie Podein, Deputy City Attorney
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council receive and consider this report and direct that the Ordinance be brought back for consideration at the next regular meeting.
Body
BACKGROUND:
AB 2188 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014) provides that it is the policy of the State to promote and encourage the installation and use of solar energy systems by limiting obstacles to their use and by minimizing the permitting costs of such systems. In furtherance of that objective, AB 2188 requires that, on or before September 30, 2015, every city and county must adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.
DISCUSSION:
If the City Council enacts the attached Ordinance, the City will expedite the processing of such applications by reviewing and issuing a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within 1-3 business days for electronic applications which comply with all requirements. Additionally, the City would accept and approve such applications at the Building Department or electronically via email, the City's website or facsimile.
The attached Ordinance is intended to satisfy the requirements set forth in AB 2188. The attached Ordinance codifies the requirements of AB 2188 by accepting and approving applications electronically, directing the City's building official to develop a checklist of all requirements with which small rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review, and authorizing the building official to administratively approve such applications.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no anticipated fiscal impact as the costs would be recovered throu...
Click here for full text