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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS (2)Agenda Item: 21 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA Q:° AGENDA REPORT PUBLIC HEARINGS 7, CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: 1 j4 _ " DATE: August 22, 2017 SUBJECT: FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE AN EXPEDITED, STREAMLINED PERMITTING PROCESS FOR SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT: Public Works PRESENTER: John Caprarelli RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council conduct a public hearing and introduce and pass to second reading an ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 25.03 TO TITLE 25 OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS." BACKGROUND On September 21, 2014, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 2188. The intent of this law is to promote and encourage the installation and use of solar energy systems by minimizing obstacles to the permit and inspection process. AB 2188 requires local jurisdictions adopt an ordinance to create a streamlined, expedited permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems that substantially conforms to recommendations contained in the current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook published by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. Currently, the City of Santa Clarita (City) accepts and approves such applications at the City's Permit Center and/or electronically through the City's website. The City has been proactive in expediting the permitting process and providing timely inspections for such installations. However, the City is required to adopt an ordinance that codifies the requirements set forth in AB 2188. While Chapter 25.02 of Title 25 was previously adopted and added by City Council Ordinance 15-07 in compliance with AB 2188, it was repealed due to an administrative error through City Page 1 Packet Pg. 219 Council Ordinance 16-11 during the 2016 California Building Standards Code adoption process. AB 2188 provisions include the following: • Requires the local jurisdiction provide a checklist of requirements for a solar energy system to be eligible for expedited review. The checklists and required permitting documents must be available on the City's website. • Requires the Building Official approve an application and issue a permit in a timely manner upon determining the application is complete and meets all prescribed requirements. • Allows for electronic submittal of the expedited permit documents. • Allows for the use of electronic signatures on relevant permitting documents. • Prohibits the City from restricting or prohibiting the installation of such systems regardless of a local homeowner association restriction. • Requires a single inspection, subject to certain exceptions, that must be performed in a timely manner. In an effort to further streamline the review process for these projects, the City has assumed responsibility for reviewing applications for small residential rooftop solar energy systems for conformance with applicable Fire Department requirements. The local Fire Prevention Office previously conducted these reviews. The change has resulted in a significant time savings for customers obtaining permits for solar energy systems. By adopting this ordinance, the City Council will continue to promote and encourage the installation of solar energy systems within the City of Santa Clarita while meeting all health and safety requirements of local, state, and federal law. ALTERNATIVE ACTION Other action as directed by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT There is no anticipated fiscal impact, as the costs would be recovered through existing building permit fees. ATTACHMENTS Notice of Public Hearing Ordinance Page 2 Packet Pg. 220 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: A Public Hearing will be held before the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita in the City Hall Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, First Floor, Santa Clarita, California, on the 22nd day of August, 2017, at or after 6:00 p.m. to consider local amendments to Title 25, Green Building Standards Code of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code. Proponents, opponents, and any interested persons may appear and be heard on this matter at that time. A copy of the building standards code with local amendments is available for viewing at the City Clerk's office at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 120, Santa Clarita, California If you wish to challenge this action taken on this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or written correspondence delivered to the City Council, at, or prior to, the public hearing. For further information regarding this adoption, please visit the City's Permit Center located at City Hall, Suite 140, or contact John Caprarelli, City Building Official, Telephone (661) 255-4396. Dated: July 28, 2017 Mary Cusick City Clerk Publish Date: August 11, 2017 21.a il Packet Pg. 221 21.b ORDINANCE NO. 17 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 25.03 TO TITLE 25 OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita seeks to advance the installation and use of solar energy by all of its citizens, businesses, and industries; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita seeks to meet the energy and environmental goals set by the State; and WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the health, welfare, and safety of the people of the City of Santa Clarita to provide an expedited permitting process to assure the effective deployment of solar technology; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita seeks to implement Assembly Bill 2188 (Chapter 521) through the creation of an expedited, streamlined permitting and inspection process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That Chapter 25.03 is added to read as follows: 25.03.010 Purpose 25.03.020 Applicability 25.03.030 Definitions 25.03.040 Solar Energy System Requirements 25.03.050 Submittal Documents 25.03.060 Eligibility Checklist 25.03.070 Plan Review and Permit Issuance 25.03.080 Inspections 25.03.010 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an expedited, streamlined permitting and inspection process that complies with Assembly Bill (AB) 2188 (Chapter 52 1) to achieve timely and cost- effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems while protecting public health and safety. 25.03.020 Applicability. This chapter applies to the permitting and inspecting of all small residential rooftop solar energy systems in the City of Santa Clarita. _l Packet Pg. 222 21.b 25.03.030 De£mitions. A. A "small residential rooftop solar energy system" means a solar energy system that meets all of the following: The system is installed on the roof of a single or duplex family dwelling. 2. The system is no larger than 10 kilowatts (kW) alternating current nameplate rating or 30 kW thermal. B. "Electronic submittal" means the utilization of one (1) or more of the following: 1. The City of Santa Clarita's ePlans system. 2. Email. 3. The Internet. 4. Facsimile. 25.03.040 Solar Energy System Requirements. A. A solar energy system designed for producing electricity shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by: The City of Santa Clarita Electrical Code. 2. The City of Santa Clarita Building Code. 3. The City of Santa Clarita Fire Code. 4. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. B. The module array or individual solar panel shall not exceed the maximum legal building w height as defined by the Santa Clarita Municipal Code. c C. The system shall be tested and labeled by an accredited testing laboratory such as 0 O Underwriters Laboratories, and be installed in accordance with any applicable rules of the Public Utilities Commission. w E t v D. A solar energy system for heating water in a single family residence and solar collectors used for heating water in swimming pool applications shall be certified by an accredited listing agency as defined by the City of Santa Clarita Plumbing and Mechanical Codes. Packet Pg. 223 21.b 25.03.050 Submittal Documents. All forms, checklists, or other documentation required for the submission of an expedited solar energy system application shall be made available to the public on the City of Santa Clarita's website. All required documents may be submitted either in paper hard copy format or as an electronic submittal. 25.03.060 Eligibility Checklist. A. To be eligible for expedited solar photovoltaic (PV) permitting a small residential rooftop solar energy system must comply with all of the following requirements: 1. General Requirements a. The system size is 10 kW AC CEC rating or less. b. The solar array is roof -mounted on a single or duplex family dwelling or accessory structure. a The solar panel/module arrays will not exceed the maximum legal building height. d. The solar system is utility interactive and without battery storage. e. A completed application for a permit from the City of Santa Clarita is attached with the required documentation. 2. Electrical Requirements a. No more than four PV module strings are connected to each Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) input where source circuit fusing is included in the inverter. b. No more than two strings per MPPT input where source circuit fusing is not included R in the inverter. N w v c. Fuses (if needed) are rated to the series fuse rating of the PV module. c �o d. No more than one noninverter-integrated DC combiner is utilized per inverter. O Y e. For central inverter systems, no more than two inverters are utilized. E f. The PV system is interconnected to a single-phase AC service panel of nominal 120/220 Vac with a bus bar rating of 225 A or less. g. The PV system is connected to the load side of the utility distribution equipment. t v R Packet Pg. 224 21.b h. A Solar PV Standard Plan and supporting documentation is completed and attached to the application. 3. Structural Requirements The applicant has verified through the use of standard engineering evaluation techniques that the support structure for the small residential rooftop solar energy system is stable and adequate to transfer all wind, seismic, dead, and live loads associated with the system to the roof and building structure and foundation. Supporting documentation is available if requested. 4. Fire Safety Requirements a. Clear access pathways are provided and shown on the roof plan around the rooftop system in accordance with Los Angeles County Fire Department requirements. b. The fire classification of the solar system meets the requirements for a Class `B' roof or, if located in the City's Fire Zone, the requirements for a Class `A' roof. c. Any new roofing installed shall meet or exceed the existing roofs fire safety classification for Class `A' or Class `B' materials. d. A note must be shown on the plans that all required markings and labels will be provided to the building inspector in the field. e. A diagram of the roof layout of all panels, modules, clear access pathways, and approximate locations of electrical disconnecting means and roof access points is completed and attached. 25.03.070 Plan Review and Permit Issuance. A. An application with associated plans, drawings, and other documentation that satisfies all R requirements set forth in the eligibility checklist for expedited permitting shall be deemed N complete upon review of the associated documents by the Building Official. Such review shall be performed in a timely manner and in conformance with AB 2188. Should the R application be deemed incomplete, the Building Official shall issue a written correction V notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to 0 be eligible for expedited permit issuance. w E B. 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 a permit to perform the work. Packet Pg. 225 C. Such approval for the installation of the solar PV system does not authorize an applicant to connect the energy system to the local utility provider's electricity grid. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility provider. D. The City of Santa Clarita shall not condition approval of an application on the approval of an association, as defined in Section 4080 of the Civil Code. 25.03.080 Inspections. A. For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, only one (1) inspection shall be required. The inspection shall be performed in a timely manner and will be scheduled within two (2) business days of a request. A four (4) hour inspection window may be provided upon request. B. 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. C. A re -inspection fee may be assessed under any of the following conditions: 1. The installation is not complete and ready for inspection at the scheduled time. 2. The equipment is not open and accessible for the inspector to view at the time of inspection. 3. The inspection has failed on two (2) previous occasions. SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days from its passage and adoption. SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published as required by law. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this day of 2017. MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK DATE: 21.b Gl Packet Pg. 226 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I, Mary Cusick, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance 17- was regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on the day of 2017. That thereafter, said Ordinance was duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council on the day of 2017, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: AND I FURTHER CERTIFY that the foregoing is the original of Ordinance and was published in The Signal newspaper in accordance with State Law (G.C. 40806). CITY CLERK 21.b il Packet Pg. 227