City of Capitola

Initial Status: No solar specific application

Action Taken: Ordinance 15.10, which meets the goals of Mandate AB 2188, went into effect on July 25, 2015

Guidance: The City of Capitola passed a local ordinance focused on meeting the goals of Mandate AB 2188. This ordinance officially went into effect on July 25, 2015. Per the ordinance text: “[The] small residential rooftop solar system permit process, standard plan(s), and checklist(s) 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.” The language for ordinance 15.10 can be found here: http://codepublishing.com/ca/capitola/.

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

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

Initial Status: Application not able to be submitted online

Action Taken: City now allows electronic submittal of application form through ordinance 15.10 which meets the requirements of Mandate AB2188. You can submit the permit form by email.

Guidance: The City of Capitola passed local ordinance 15.10 which is focused on meeting the goals of Mandate AB 2188. This ordinance will allow application submittals, fee payment, signatures, and permit issuances for residential rooftop systems under 10kW to be completed through internet, email, or fax. This ordinance officially went into effect on July 25, 2015.

Initial Status: Single application submittal

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

Initial Status: Permitting process description is not posted online

Action Taken: Ordinance focused on meeting the goals of Mandate AB 2188 went into effect on July 25, 2015, and process info and the fee schedule are now online.

Guidance: Per the ordinance text: "All documents required for the submission of an expedited solar energy system application shall be made available on the City website." The website will provide clear written instructions on the permitting process along with a checklist of required application materials. Also, provided is information on permit fee schedules.

Initial Status: Permit process time between 6-10 days

Action Taken: Ordinance 15.10, which meets the goals of Mandate AB 2188, went into effect on July 25, 2015. City now allows expedited permitting process for qualifying projects.

Guidance: According to the text of the ordinance: "[The] Building Division shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, within five business days upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan."

Initial Status: Free permits for private systems

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: Valuation on large scale commercial systems

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: Inspections less then 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: Appointment windown less then 2 hours

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: Single comprehensive inspection for residential systems

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 inspection checklist

Action Taken: Ordinance focused on meeting the goals of Mandate AB 2188 will go into effect on July 25, 2015

Guidance: The City of Capitola passed a local ordinance focused which mets the goals of Mandate AB 2188. This ordinance officially went into effect on July 25, 2015. The ordinance has a checklist(s) that "shall substantially conform to recommendations for expedited permitting."

Initial Status: Allow qualifying exemptions on residential

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 ordinance exists

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: Plan encourages use of solar

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 solar zoning standards in place

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: Sensitive zones in place

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: Unknown

Action Taken: Ordinance focused on meeting the goals of Mandate AB 2188 will go into effect on July 25, 2015

Guidance: The City of Capitola adopted an ordinance on June 25, 2015 that is focused on meeting the goals of Mandate AB 2188. This ordinance will go into effect on July 25, 2015.

Initial Status: No local PACE program initially

Action Taken: City participating in HERO program

Guidance: City currently at best practice

Initial Status: Looking to explore solar finance options, but limited knowledge of local solar loan programs.

Action Taken: Now participating in HERO program

Guidance: City at best practice. The HERO program allows residents to access loans specifically for renewable energy upgrades. More information is available here: https://heroprogram.com/capitola/

Initial Status: Limited promotion of available solar finance options and evaluation tools

Action Taken: Has published a brochure on the City's website covering numerous options for solar financing and evaluation

Guidance: The brochure covering solar finance options and evaluation tools can be found here: http://www.cityofcapitola.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_development/page/1457/green_energy_incentives_brochure.pdf

Initial Status: City is currently participating in marketplace

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: Participating in SEED2 program

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: Resources available online

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: Resources available

Action Taken: Has published educational materials on the City website.

Guidance: The City has provided information on solar energy resources for residents at this link: http://www.cityofcapitola.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_development/page/1457/green_energy_incentives_brochure.pdf

Initial Status: Green Building - exceptional design

Guidance: Establish a working group to explore options for setting clean energy goals for the community, including setting renewable energy development goals in long term planning documents or joining programs designed to encourage, support, and provide recognition for clean energy action.