HomeMy WebLinkAbout878 - Ordinances ORDINANCE NO. 878
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING AN
EXPEDITED, STREAMLINED PERMITTING PROCESS FOR
SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEMS, AND
AMENDING TITLE 15 OF THE RANCHO CUCAMONGA
MUNICIPAL CODE.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga seeks to implement AB
2188 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014) through the creation of an expedited, streamlined permitting
process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems; and
WHEREAS, the City Council seeks to further the conservation goals of the City and
support the climate action policies set by the State; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the health, welfare and safety of the people of
Rancho Cucamonga to provide an expedited permitting process for the deployment of solar
energy systems and technology.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga does ordain as follows:
Section 1. A new Chapter 15.36 is hereby added to Title 15 of the City of Rancho
Cucamonga Municipal Code to read as follows:
"CHAPTER 15.36. EXPEDITED PERMITTING OF SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
Sec. 15.36.010. Small residential rooftop solar energy system defined. `Small residential
rooftop solar energy system' means all of the following:
A. A solar energy system that is no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current nameplate
rating or 30 kilowatts thermal; and
B. 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 paragraph (3) of subdivision (c)
of Section 714 of the Civil Code; and
C. A solar energy system that is installed on a single or duplex family dwelling; and
D. A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as
defined or prescribed in this Code.
E. For purposes of this Section 15.36.010, the term 'solar energy system' has the same
meaning as set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 801.5 of the Civil
Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time
to time.
Sec. 15.36.020. Small residential rooftop solar energy system standard plans and permit
application checklist.
ORDINANCE NO. 878 — Page 1 of 4
A. The City shall adopt standard plan(s) and a checklist of all requirements with which small
residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The
small residential rooftop solar system standard plan(s)and checklist shall substantially conform
to recommendations for expedited permitting, including the checklist and standard plans,
contained in the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook adopted by
the Governor's Office of Planning and Research.
B. All documents required for the submission of a small residential rooftop solar energy system
permit application, the standard plan(s) and, and checklist shall be made available on the public
accessible City website.
C. Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents by the Internet shall
be available to all small rooftop solar energy system permit applicants. An applicant's electronic
signature shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet
signature.
Sec. 15.36.030. Permit application review.
A. An application that satisfies the information in the checklist and standard plan(s) shall be
deemed complete.
B. If an application is deemed incomplete, a list of deficiencies will be provided verbally or in
written form. A written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any
additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance shall
be sent to the applicant for resubmission.
C. Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the application and supporting documents
are complete and meet the requirements of the checklist, this Chapter, and local, state, and
federal health and safety requirements, the Building Official shall issue any required permit and
authorization to install the small rooftop, solar energy system.
D. The Building Official shall issue the permit and any required authorization as follows: (i) the
same day of receipt of an over-the-counter or within one to three (1-3) business days of receipt
of a complete application.
E. Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate a specific, adverse
impact upon health and safety, at the lowest possible cost.
Sec. 15.36.040 Inspection requirements.
A. Inspection requests may be submitted by the Internet.
B. Only one inspection shall be required for small residential rooftop solar energy systems .
eligible for expedited review.
C. The inspection shall be done in a timely manner. The Building Official shall strive to
schedule an inspection to occur within two (2) business days.
D. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection
is authorized but need not conform to the requirements of this Section.
ORDINANCE NO. 878 — Page 2 of 4
Section 2: As required by Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code Section 15.36.020. A, enacted
by this Ordinance, the City hereby adopts the standard plan(s) and checklist with which
compliance is required for expedited permitting of small residential rooftop solar energy systems,
which standard plans and checklist are on file in the office of the Building and Safety Department.
The Building Official may amend and update the standard plan(s) and checklist as needed for
consistency with state law or to protect public health and safety.
Section 3: CEQA. The City Council finds that the adoption of this Ordinance is exempt from the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the General Rule (14 C.C.R. Section
15061(b)(3)) because the project involves updates and revisions to existing administrative
building permit regulations consistent with California law, specifically Government Code section
65850.5 and Civil Code section 714. It can be seen with certainty that the Municipal Code text
amendments adopted herein will have no significant negative effect on the environment.
Additionally, the adoption of this Ordinance is categorically exempt from further environmental
review as a regulatory action taken to protect natural resources and the environment in support
of state and local climate action goals pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, 14 C.C.R., Sections 15307
and 15308.
Section 4: Statutory Construction and Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision,
paragraph, sentence, clauses or phrases of this Ordinance or its application to any person or
circumstance is for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent
jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the
remaining section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clauses or phrases hereof,
irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs,
sentences, clauses or phrases herein be declared invalid or unenforceable.
Section 5: The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance.
ORDINANCE NO. 878 — Page 3 of 4
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of September 2015.
AYES: Alexander, Kennedy, Michael, Spagnolo, Williams
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
•
Ana Le
-nnis Michael, Ma or
ATTEST:
CLA
nice C. Reynolds, ty Clerk
I, JANICE C. REYNOLDS, CITY CLERK of the City of Rancho Cucamonga,
California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was introduced at a Regular
Meeting of the Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga held on the 19th day of August
2015, and was passed at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Rancho
Cucamonga held on the 2nd day of September 2015.
Executed this 3rd day of September 2015, at Rancho Cucamonga,
California.
nice C. Reynolds, y Clerk
ORDINANCE NO. 878— Page 4 of 4