REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2017
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
THROUGH: MIKE SANCHEZ, Assistant Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: BRIAN T. LEONG, Building and Safety Services Manager
Building and Safety Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Making findings to comply with Section 66015 of the California Government Code relating to permits for residential rooftop solar energy systems.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approving the attached Resolution, attached. Section 66015 of the California Government Code requires a city to adopt written findings to charge more than $500 plus $15 per kilowatt for each kilowatt over 15kW for a residential permit fee for a rooftop solar energy system. This Resolution will bring the City into compliance with the state law.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
SB 1222, which put into place the current state law regarding residential solar permits, requires a city to adopt a written finding to charge more than $500 plus $15 per kilowatt for each kilowatt over 15kW for a residential permit fee for a rooftop solar energy system. The City currently imposes a fee of $616 for the review of residential rooftop solar permits. The attached Resolution provides the necessary written findings for the City's current fee assessment.
BACKGROUND
SB 1222 requires permit fees for residential rooftop solar energy systems not to exceed the estimated reasonable cost of providing service for which the fee is charged. SB 1222 limits this fee to $500 plus $15 per kilowatt above 15kW for residential roof top solar energy systems. To charge a higher fee, a city must make the following written findings:
(1) A determination that the municipality has adopted appropriate ordinances, permit fees, and processes to streamline the submittal and approval of permits for solar energy systems pursuant to the practices and policies in state guidelines and...
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