City of Rye, NY

Initial Status: City uses a standard building permit application form; nothing specific to solar

Guidance: Consider adopting the NYS Unified Solar Permit, which simplifies permitting for PV systems under 12kW.

Initial Status: Application form is available online, by email, or in person

Initial Status: In person submittal is required

Guidance: Allow email submittal of permit application forms for qualifying projects, particularly those using the Unified Permit if adopted per goal P1-NY.

Initial Status: Separate submittals are required to Building Department and Board of Architectural Review

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

Initial Status: The City website has info on the permit process, though nothing specific to solar

Guidance: Permitting and inspection information is found under the "Building Department" section of the website and includes downloadable forms and contact info. Consider adding info on solar specific processes or standards, if applicable.

Initial Status: Typical turnaround time is 3 to 5 weeks include Architectural Board approval

Guidance: Consider an expedited or over-the-counter permit approval process for qualifying PV projects meeting certain eligibility criteria. Establish design conditions under which the Architectural review can be waived to help streamline the process.

Initial Status: Valuation based with additional fixed fees

Guidance: Residential permits are valuation based at $17/$1K plus fixed fees of $300. This leaves the cost of a permit for a typical residential solar installation costing $20K at over $600. This is prohibitive; consider capping the fee at a lower level.

Initial Status: Valuation based with additional fixed fees

Guidance: Commercial permits are valuation based at $30/$1K plus fixed fees of $375. This is prohibitive; particularly for larger commercial installations. Consider capping the permit fee for commercial solar projects.

Initial Status: Inspections are only conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but are normally completed on the upcoming day as long as 24 hour notice is provided.

Initial Status: Appointment format unknown, TBD

Guidance: Provide an appointment window of 2 hours or less if possible. Provide real time updates prior to arrival so contractor is aware and prepared.

Initial Status: Separate inspections required for roof penetrations and electrical/structural final

Guidance: For additional preliminary inspections, consider conducting in a manner that does not require installer to halt work.

Initial Status: No inspection checklist currently in use

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 approval is required for all systems

Guidance: For qualifying residential systems on code approved residences meeting certain criteria, consider allowing an exemption from structural analysis or structural PE stamp requirements. This follows the guidance in the Unified Solar Permit, where an exemption from the PE letter is allowed if checklist questions #11-13 are satisfied and if the installation uses an engineered racking system.

Initial Status: 2010 Residential Code of New York State and the 2008 National Electrical Code

Guidance: Though the City is a couple code cycles behind, building officials seem knowledgeable on current solar standards. For ongoing education, see the links under the 'Take Action' button at right.

Initial Status: State law allows for creation of solar easements and solar access provisions in local zoning code

Guidance: Consider creating local ordinances which would protect solar access by ensuring property remains shade-free and establishing a process for creating, registering, and enforcing solar easements.

Initial Status: No such standards are in place currently

Guidance: Explore the creation of municipal ordinances which require new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready. See examples under the 'Take Action' link at right.

Initial Status: The City developed and published a Sustainability Plan

Guidance: Investigating the feasibility of installing solar photovoltaics on municipal facilities is listed as an action step

Initial Status: Zoning code does not specifically address solar

Guidance: The existing design regulations do not seem to present any undue barriers to solar. Consider a review of the zoning codes and ordinances that govern solar installations, such as setbacks, height limits and lot use provisions, do not restrict property owners' ability to install solar.

Initial Status: Not clear whether any private groups in Rye have restrictive policies for solar - TBD

Guidance: 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.

Initial Status: City is an Energy Improvement Corporation member, which allows EIC to offer financing for local projects

Guidance: Learn more here: http://energizeny.org/eic

Initial Status: Effective finance options are prevalent in Rye, and vendor provided finance is widely available

Initial Status: Some awareness within the community currently

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 have been deployed in Rye

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. Follow the model used in the Solarize Westchester campaigns run in neighboring communities.

Initial Status: No such campaigns previously

Guidance: Consider collaborating with agencies across the region to aggregate government facilities, including municipal buildings and schools, for solar evaluation and cost-effective procurement to demonstrate leadership and reduce energy costs while strengthening the economy and environment. Consider following the model developed by the Municipal Solar Buyers Group: http://sustainablewestchester.org/community-toolkits/muni-solar-buyers-group

Initial Status: City has installed solar powered trash compactors.

Guidance: There is also a solar system installed on the Rye Country Day School. Consider expanding on this success by identifying solar feasibility at landfills, water treatment plants, or other municipal properties. Consider working with other local agencies on a collaborative procurement to reduce costs per goal [M3]. The Solar Roadmap team can help by evaluating solar potential at City properties.

Initial Status: Though the City publishes limited solar information, it is effectively promoted through Sustainable Westchester and other regional sources

Guidance: See related goal F7 for additional content which may be useful to residents looking to go solar

Initial Status: City is member of Sustainable Westchester