City of Plymouth, CA

Initial Status: The City is in the process of implementing a solar-specific application 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. Current requirements for solar system submittal in Plymouth include: generic application form, electrical line diagram, site plan, structural drawings, spec sheets, and install manuals.

Initial Status: Permit form can be obtained through email, mail, or in person.

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

Initial Status: Permit can be submitted by email.

Initial Status: Only 1 permit application submittal required.

Initial Status: No permit and inspection process information or fee schedule is posted 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: Permit processing time is 6-10 days for residential projects and 11-15 for 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: Fee is based on cost recovery and is valuation capped.

Initial Status: Fee is based on cost recovery and is valuation capped.

Initial Status: Turn around time between 3-5 days. The City's Building Official generally works one day a week. Inspections are scheduled within 5 business days.

Initial Status: A specific time is given for inspection.

Initial Status: One comprehensive inspection is performed.

Initial Status: Inspection checklist not 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: No information on exemptions available at this time.

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: Current knowledge level of staff regarding recent solar standards unknown

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: No expedited solar permitting ordinance currently in place.

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

Guidance: Create local ordinances that exceeds 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.

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: Solar is not required in new construction.

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 the City's Energy Action Plan.

Initial Status: The Zoning Code includes "Large Scale Solar Installations" as a use type in residential districts.

Initial Status: There are viewshed and aesthetically sensitive zones in the City, but no rules for existing solar.

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 restrictive ordinances creating a barrier to solar.

Initial Status: No local PACE program for solar projects.

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: 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: Hasn't explored installing solar at municipal facilities, including landfill/water treatment plants.

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

Initial Status: Hasn't explored brownfield sites for development opportunities.

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: Hasn't publicized solar workforce development resources and industry training tools on city website

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: Hasn't provided solar educational resources to constituents.

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