HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1c - Ordinance No. 2328 re Residential Rooftop Solar Systems
DATE:
September 1, 2015
TO:
Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM:
Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director
Philip A. Wray, Deputy Director of Development Services/City Engineer
By: Don Stockham, Building Official
SUBJECT:
ORDINANCE NO. 2328 AMENDING THE ARCADIA MUNICIPAL CODE
BY ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 11.1, PART 4 TO ARTICLE VIII TO
PROVIDE AN EXPEDITED, STREAMLINED PERMITTING PROCESS
FOR SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEMS
Recommendation: Adopt
SUMMARY
At its meeting on August 18, 2015, on a 5-0 vote, the City Council introduced Ordinance
No. 2328 amending the Arcadia Municipal Code by adding a Chapter 11.1, Part 4 to
Article VIII to provide an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential
rooftop solar systems. The August 18, 2015, City Council staff report is attached for
reference.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 2328 amending the
Arcadia Municipal Code by adding a new Chapter 11.1, Part 4 to Article VIII to provide
expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar systems.
Attachments: Ordinance No. 2328
August 18, 2015, City Council Staff Report
DATE:
August 18, 2015
TO:
Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM:
Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director
Philip A. Wray, Deputy Director of Development Services/City Engineer
By: Don Stockham, Building Official
SUBJECT:
ORDINANCE NO. 2328 AMENDING THE ARCADIA MUNICIPAL CODE
BY ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 11.1, PART 4 TO ARTICLE VIII TO
PROVIDE AN EXPEDITED, STREAMLINED PERMITTING PROCESS
FOR SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEMS
Recommendation: Introduce
SUMMARY
Recently adopted legislation in the California Government Code encourages and
promotes the installation and use of solar energy systems. The California Government
Code 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.
Ordinance No. 2328 has been prepared to comply with the State’s new policy. The
Development Services Department currently expedites the permitting of small
residential solar energy systems, so the proposed ordinance will have minimal impact
on the current process. It is recommended that Ordinance No. 2328 be introduced for
approval.
BACKGROUND
Section 65850.5(a) of the California Government Code 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. In furtherance of that objective, Section 65850.5(g)(1) of the California
Government Code 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.
Ordinance No. 2328 regarding Rooftop Solar Sytems
August 18, 2015
Page 2 of 2
DISCUSSION
In order to comply with the State mandate, the adoption of Ordinance No 2328 is
proposed to reflect the Government Code requirements. Key elements of the ordinance
are for the City’s Building Official to accept and approve applications electronically, to
direct the 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 to
authorize the Building Official to administratively approve such applications in an
expedited manner.
The City currently expedites the review of such applications by reviewing and issuing
applications within 2-5 days, and occasionally accepts and approves such applications
over the building counter. City plan review/permit fees are at a flat rate fee of $300.92
for residential installations, well below the State average and within the guidelines of the
Government Code. Therefore, the City is already in substantial compliance with the
State’s requirements, and the ordinance confirms the City’s actions.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed Ordinance qualifies for an exemption from the California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”) per Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it is a
project that does not have a potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no anticipated fiscal impact as the costs would be recovered through the
existing building permit fees. As noted, the Building Division is currently providing
expedited review of applications for small residential rooftop solar systems.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council introduce Ordinance 2328 amending the
Arcadia Municipal Code by adding a new Chapter 11.1, Part 4 to Article VIII to provide
an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar systems.
Attachment: Ordinance No. 2328