City Council
MEETING DATE: 8/12/2015
TITLE:
Title
Ordinance Adding Chapter 8.60 “Permitting for Rooftop Solar Energy Systems” to the Cathedral City Municipal Code.
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FROM:
Pat Milos, Community Development Director
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council receive and consider this report and adopt the attached Ordinance adding chapter 8.60 "Permitting for Rooftop Solar Energy Systems" to the Cathedral City Municipal Code to provide an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems in accordance with AB 2188.
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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 such applications at the Building Department counter or electronically via email, the Internet 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:
Staff recommends a flat fee of $500.00 per permit for small residential rooftop solar energy systems plus $15 per kilowatt for each kilowatt above 15 kilowatts in compliance with Government Code Section 66015. The fee would cover the administrative costs associated with expediting the permitting process including the review, approval and issuance of the permit and the site inspection which is estimated at 5 staff hours.
ATTACHMENTS:
Proposed ordinance