City of Belmont

Initial Status: No solar specific permitting form

Guidance: Standard PV permit application materials include: submittal requirements information, eligibility checklist for expedited permitting, and PV standard plan. Using standard materials across a region reduces submittal errors and department approval backlog. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: Building permit application forms are available online, though no PV specific forms are currently in

Guidance: Application is accessible online. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: Permit forms must be submitted in person

Guidance: Application submittals, fee payment, signatures, and permit issuances can be completed through internet, email, or fax. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: Requires only a single application submittal

Guidance: Require only a single application submittal. If multiple departments review the application, manage the routing internally.

Initial Status: Permit fee information not available online

Guidance: Provide clear written instructions on permitting process along with a checklist of required application materials. Also, provide information on permit fee schedules. Ideally, there is easy access from a primary menu page.

Initial Status: Less then 3-5 business days processing time for residential and commercial projects

Guidance: Plan review and permit is issued over-the-counter or automatically online for eligible projects, if possible. Otherwise, instate a policy to review and issue/deny permit within 3 days (residential) or 5 days (commercial) of submittal. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: Less then $250 fee

Guidance: Permit fee for residential systems is based on cost recovery or a flat fee no more than $500 for systems <15 kW. Larger systems can be $15 for every kilowatt (kW) over 15 kW. Fee cannot be based on open-ended valuation based fee structure. This is an AB 1801 and SB 1222 requirements for all solar permit fees.

Initial Status: No cost for commercial projects

Guidance: Permit fee for commercial systems is based on cost recovery or a flat fee no more than $1,000 for systems <50 kW, plus $7 for every kW between 51 kW and 250 kW, plus $5 for every kW over 250 kW. Fee cannot be based on open-ended valuation based fee structure. This is an AB 1801 and SB 1222 requirements for all solar permit fees.

Initial Status: Inspection preformed within 2 business days

Guidance: Inspection performed next business day after request. If it's not possible, schedule inspection within 5 business days. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: 1 hour time window given for inspection visit

Guidance: Installer is given specific time or time window less than 2hrs for onsite inspection. Utilize phone and/or email to provide info on anticipated inspection time.This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: Only a single, final inspection visit is required for permit and interconnection together.

Guidance: Only a single, final inspection visit is required for permit and interconnection together. Coordinate inspection among various agencies or schedule multiple agency inspections for the same time. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: No standard checklist for PV systems currently in use

Guidance: Use a standard checklist for PV field inspections that is available to applicants prior to inspection. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: Structural exemption allowed for PV systems

Guidance: Allow an exemption from structural analysis or structural PE stamp requirements for residential systems that meet certain structural criteria. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: Awareness of recent solar updates in 2013 California Codes

Guidance: Permitting department understands latest changes to the 2013 California Building, Residential, Electrical, Energy, and Fire Codes that apply to Solar PV installations.

Initial Status: State laws provide limited protection for solar rights and solar access, but no local ordinance

Guidance: Solar rights are protected by state legislation. Consider creating local ordinances that exceed the CA Solar Rights Act and Solar Shade Control Act, which would protect property owners' right to install solar and ensure their property has unobstructed access to direct sunlight.

Initial Status: No local ordinances for solar ready construction in existence

Guidance: Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready. Sample standards include a solar zone on roof, pre-installed conduits, space for inverter, spare breaker space in electrical panel for solar interconnection.

Initial Status: Carbon footprint and sustainability action plans adopted by the city

Guidance: Integrate solar-related goals into long term planning documents such as comprehensive plans, energy action plans, or climate action plans to support a growing market in the community.

Initial Status: No local standards for solar zoning and review

Guidance: Ensure the zoning codes and ordinances that govern solar installations do not adversely affect property owners' ability to install solar. CA Solar Rights Act requires that local governments use an administrative, non-discretionary review process for on-site solar energy systems.

Initial Status: No local standards for solar zoning and review

Guidance: Ensure the zoning codes and ordinances that govern solar installations in aesthetically sensitive areas do not adversely affect property owners' ability to install solar. Allow staff members to review and approve applications when possible rather than requiring committee or planning commission review. CA Solar Rights Act requires that local governments use an administrative, non-discretionary review process for on-site solar energy systems that do not place restrictions on visual or aesthetic concerns.

Initial Status: No ordinances creating a barrier to solar construction

Guidance: Private solar covenants are restricted by state legislation. Work with condo owner and homeowners associations to ensure that their covenant, conditions, and restrictions and bylaws do not create undue barriers to solar installations. HOA convenents cannot increase the cost of solar systems by more than $1,000, and cannot decrease the efficiency of systems by more than 10%. HOA must approve or deny plan within 45 days.

Initial Status: No local ordinance in effect

Guidance: California Assembly Bill 2188 requires all local governments to adopt an administrative ordinance that creates a streamlined permitting process for rooftop solar systems <10kW that aligns with the best practices in the California Permitting Guidebook by September 30, 2015.

Initial Status: No implementation of Local PACE financing

Guidance: Establish a working group to evaluate the potential of a PACE financing program for clean energy upgrades in the jurisdiction based on national examples by local municipalities.

Initial Status: Limited knowledge of local solar loan programs

Guidance: Encourage local financial institutions to establish loan programs for solar energy systems.

Initial Status: Limited knowledge of solar finance options and tools

Guidance: Publicize the availability of local solar finance options and solar evaluation tools for potential buyers. This can be done via webinars, marketing materials, or by providing links and information online.

Initial Status: Working group has been formed

Guidance: Support the creation of a working group of community leaders and funding providers. This group would evaluate options and determine the most viable approach for aggregating residential solar based on best practices to date.

Initial Status: No such programs known to exist locally

Guidance: Establish a working group of businesses and commercial property owners to leverage their solar purchasing power by aggregating facilities for solar evaluation and procurement to reduce energy costs while demonstrating community leadership.

Initial Status: Working group established

Guidance: Establish a working group of municipal agencies to leverage their solar purchasing power by aggregating facilities for solar evaluation and procurement to reduce energy costs while demonstrating community leadership.

Initial Status: No known solar projects at these sites currently

Guidance: Establish a working group to identify solar feasibility at municipal facilities, including landfill and water treatment sites.

Initial Status: No known solar development at local brownfield sites

Guidance: Establish a working group to identify brownfield sites and solar development options within the City, following the best practices and case studies provided. Share information with market stakeholders.

Initial Status: Limited awareness of these resources locally

Guidance: Provide online access to training programs and resources for the installer community and potential workforce and organize an outreach and/or training event in order to generate awareness and understanding. Publicize these events, along with external resources/trainings, through various community outreach channels.

Initial Status: Limited awareness of these resources locally

Guidance: Help promote the availability of online tools and resources for the residential, commercial, and municipal solar markets through existing networks.