ORD 2126 - Laserfiche WebLink

20.70.060 Permit Review and Inspection Requirements A. The Community Development Director shall implement an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. The Building Division shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within 1-3 business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan. B. If the Building Division finds, based on substantial evidence, that the solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon public health and safety, the applicant may be required to apply for a use permit. Review of the application shall be limited to the City's review of whether the application met local, State, and Federal health and safety requirements. C. The Building Division may deny an application for a use permit if the Chief Building Official makes written findings, based upon substantive evidence in the record, that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the adverse impact. Such findings shall include the basis for the rejection of the potential feasible alternative for preventing the adverse impact. Such decisions may be appealed to the Planning Commission pursuant to section 18.144.020. The Planning Commission's decision shall be final and not be appealable to the City Council. D. The Building Division may approve an application subject to conditions. Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost. E. A feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact includes, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition, or mitigation imposed by the City on another similarly situated application in a prior successful application for a permit. The City shall use its best efforts to ensure that the selected method, condition, or mitigation meets the conditions of Civil Code Section 714(d)(1)(A) and (B) defining restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or decrease its efficiency or specified performance. F. If an application is deemed incomplete, 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. G. Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the Building Division for small residential rooftop solar energy systems. Once an applicant informs the Building Division that such a solar energy system has been installed, the Building Division shall complete the inspection as soon as practical (generally within 2 days) and should include consolidated inspections. H. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails the inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized and a re-inspection fee may be charged. 5