City of Jackson, CA

Initial Status: There is a standard building permit application form, but nothing specific to PV currently. Currently working on it and will add it to the City's website.

Guidance: Standard application is available for systems <10kW. Using common permit materials, such as checklists and standard plans, across a region reduces permit submittal errors among contractors.

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

Guidance: If a standard PV application form is adopted per goal [P1], make the form available online in an easily accessible location. Building permit application form can be found here: http://ci.jackson.ca.us/city-services/building-department

Initial Status: Permit application can be emailed to a staff member of the building department or submitted in person. City is working toward online submission.

Initial Status: Single permit application submittal.

Initial Status: Contact Information is online. No permit process information/checklist available online

Guidance: Provide clear written instructions on permitting and inspection processes along with a checklist of required application materials. Also, provide information on permit fee schedule, along with any rebates and incentives. Ideally, there is easy access from a primary menu page.

Initial Status: Permit processing time is 4-10 days for residential projects and 11-15 for commercial projects.

Action Taken: Jackson substantially complies with AB 2188 and expedites building and solar permits to the best of its ability.

Initial Status: Permit application fee is valuation based for residential projects.

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. Open-ended valuation based fee structures are inconsistent with State law.

Initial Status: Permit application fee is valuation based 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. Open-ended valuation based fee structures are inconsistent with State law.

Initial Status: Permit inspection request turnaround time is 2 days or less.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Inspection appointment window given to installer is 2 hours or less.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Two inspection visits are required.

Action Taken: The City has combined the roof-mount, ground, and final inspections into one for most residential projects.

Initial Status: The current checklist will be modified to be solar specific and the City plans to get it online.

Guidance: Utilize a standard inspection checklist for PV systems. The checklist serves as a guide for inspectors and installers containing points of emphasis and common issues.

Initial Status: Structural PE stamp is required for commercial systems.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

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

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: No existing ordinance to streamline process for qualifying projects, but looking to make changes in the City's ordinances later this year.

Guidance: Create an ordinance to expedite and streamline the permitting process for residential rooftop solar energy systems under 10kW. This ordinance must substantially conform to the recommendations, standard plans and checklists found in the most updated version of the Office of Planning and Research's Solar Permitting Guidebook (OPR Guidebook).

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

Guidance: City currently at best practice at the state-level. Consider creating local ordinances go beyond 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 requiring solar ready construction, but enforcing the CA building code that requires 1 of every 10 homes in a new subdivision be solar ready. Working toward ordinance.

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

Initial Status: No local ordinance requiring solar on new construction, but enforcing the CA building code that requires 1 of every 10 homes in a new subdivision be solar ready.

Guidance: Explore implementing solar mandates for new construction for all buildings or a segment of the new building stock.

Initial Status: Solar development goals are included in City's Energy Action Plan.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: No local standards for solar zoning and review.

Action Taken: Nothing restrictive in City ordinances. The City focuses on protecting solar access in a couple of locations.

Initial Status: Design Review Committee approval is required for solar development in historically sensitive areas.

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 local PACE program for solar projects.

Action Taken: The City Council adopted participation in the PACE program at the February 22, 2016 meeting. See City website for the staff report and resolutions. The PACE information will be added to the website Energy Action Plan page that is being developed.

Initial Status: No existing local solar loan progam.

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: No such programs known to exist locally.

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 local aggregate solar procurement program for commercial sector.

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: 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: 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.