REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
July 30, 2015
FROM: Jennifer K. Clark, Director
Development and Resources Management
BY: Brian T. Leong, Building and Safety Services Manager
Building and Safety Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
BILL - (For introduction) - Adding Section 11-111 to the Fresno Municipal Code relating to expedited permitting procedures for small residential rooftop solar systems
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve and adopt the proposed ordinance in conformance with the requirements of State Assembly Bill 2188.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On September 21, 2014, the Governor of the State of California signed into law, Assembly Bill 2188 which requires a City and/or County, to adopt an ordinance creating an expedited permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems. The Building and Safety Services Division already has policies and procedures which meet the parameters set forth in AB2188. This proposed ordinance will merely formalize those policies and provide new provisions, such as allowing the Building Official to accepting and approving applications.
BACKGROUND
In 2014, the City Council accepted the report of the Business Friendly Fresno Task Force, culminating eight months of extensive review and evaluation of the City’s development processes. The BFF Task Force made recommendations regarding business practices and processing times to ensure that all applications are processed in a timely manner according to industry needs and local, state and federal mandates.
Section 65850.5(a) of the California Government Code 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, Section 65850.5(g)(1) of the California Government Code requires that, on or before September 30, 2015, every City and/or County must adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.
While the City’s existing policies and practices already meet the standards set forth in California Government Code Section 65850.5(g)(1) the attached ordinance will codify these policies in order to comply requirements set forth in Section 65850.5(g)(1).
ENVIROMENTAL FINDINGS
The approval and adoption of this ordinance is not a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines section 15378, as it will not result in a direct or indirect change in the environment.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this ordinance does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no anticipated fiscal impact as the costs would be recovered through existing building permit fees.
Attachments:
1) Ordinance Bill
2) State Assembly Bill AB2188
3) Expedited Solar Permitting Checklist