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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance - 2531 - Amend Title 16• ORDINANCE NO. 2531 • AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 16 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION), CHAPTER 16.03 (RESIDENTIAL CODE), OF THE CITY OF REDDING MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING SECTION 16.03.020 RELATING TO EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCEDURES FOR SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEMS WHEREAS, Government Code Section 65850.5(a) provides that it is the policy of the State of California 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; and WHEREAS, Government Code Section 65850.5(g)(1) provides that, on or before September 30, 2015, every city, county, or city and county shall adopt an ordinance, consistent with the goals and intent of subdivision Government Code Section 65850.5(a), that creates an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDDING DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Title 16 (Buildings and Construction), Chapter 16.03 (Residential Code), Section 16.03.020 is hereby added as follows. Section 16.03.020 - Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems. A. Definitions. The following words and phrases as used in this section are defined as follows: Electronic Submittal means the utilization of one or more of the following: 1. E-mail, or 2. The internet Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy System means all of the following: 1. A solar energy system that is no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or 30 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 Civil Code Section 714(c)(3), 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. Solar Energy System has the same meaning as set forth in Civil Code Section 801.5(a)(1)-(2), as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or re- designated from time to time. B. Checklist. The Building Official is hereby authorized and directed to develop and adopt a checklist of all requirements with which small rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The checklist shall be published on the City's internet website. Permit applicants may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the City's Permit Center by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees. In the case of electronic submittal, the electronic signature of the applicant on all forms, applications and other documentation may be used in lieu of a wet signature. C. Pre -Application Verification. Prior to submitting an application, 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 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. D. Expedited Review. For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection by the Building Official and Fire Chief. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized; however, the subsequent inspection need not conform to the requirements of this subsection. E. Application. An application that satisfies the information requirements in the checklist, 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. F. Permit Issuance. Upon confirmation by the Building Official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the small residential 0 0 rooftop energy system to the Redding Electric Utility (REU) electricity grid. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from REU. G. Permit Denial. A permit may be denied pursuant to Government Code Section 65850.5(b) -(c) if a finding is made, based on substantial evidence in the record, that the proposed solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety. Section 2. The passage of the ordinance is not a "project" according to the definition of the California Environmental Quality Act, and therefore is not subject to the provisions requiring environmental review. Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect on September 30, 2015, and the City Clerk shall certify to the adoption thereof and cause its publication according to law. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing ordinance was introduced and read by the City Council at a regular meeting on the 16th day of June, 2015; and was duly read and adopted at a regular meeting on the 21st day of July, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Attest: COUNCIL MEMBERS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: V' PAMELA MIZE, City Cl Cadd, McArthur, Schreder, Weaver, & Sullivan None None None \ 1.d CIE SULLIVAN, Mayor Form Approved: BARRY E. DeWCity At orney