City of San Mateo, CA

Initial Status: No standard PV permit application

Guidance: Use or at least accept California 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 forms are currently used

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Permit applications must be submitted in-person or by mail

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: 1 submittal for residential projects; 2 submittals required for commercial projects

Guidance: City is at best practice for residential, but should consider requiring a single application submittal for commercial projects too. If multiple departments review the application, manage the routing internally.

Initial Status: Permit and inspection process information and fee schedules are online

Guidance: City currently at best practice. Permit and inspection information can be found at: http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/index.aspx?nid=479

Initial Status: Residential and commercial project permits are both done over the counter.

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Flat fee $500 for systems <15 kW and $15/kW over

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Flat fee $1,000 for systems <50 kW, plus $7/kW over until 250 kW, and $5/kW >250kW

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Within 1 business day

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Inspection scheduling is within 2 hour appointment window

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Residential: 1 inspection visit. Commercial: Multiple inspections, depending on complexity

Guidance: City currently at best practice for residential. Consider requiring only a single, final inspection for permit and interconnection together for commercial projects. 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: A standard inspection checklist for PV systems is not currently used

Guidance: Use the California standard inspection guide to provide a PV field inspection checklist. This document should be made available to applicants prior to inspection. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: Approval from structural engineer is required for all solar PV systems

Guidance: Allow an exemption from structural analysis or structural PE stamp requirements for residential systems that meet certain California 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: City currently at best practice.

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 for 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 priorities are included in Climate Action Plan, currently being revised

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: No local standards for solar zoning and review

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: No local solar zoning ordinance standards and review for historic and viewshed areas

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Level of awareness is unknown

Action Taken: City is now aware of these changes in HOA covenant rules

Guidance: Goal achieved with state-level 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. This is an AB 2188 requirement for all rooftop systems under 10kW.

Initial Status: Have not adopted ordinance yet

Guidance: California Assembly Bill 2188 requires all local California governments to adopt an administrative ordinance that creates a streamlined permitting process for rooftop solar systems <10kW by September 30, 2015. A model ordinance is available under the "AB 2188 Implementation Guide" link.

Initial Status: City is currently participating in CaliforniaFIRST PACE program for residential solar

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

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: 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 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: City has solar on main library and plans for water treatment facility

Guidance: City currently at best practice.

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.

Initial Status: No participation in recognition programs

Action Taken: Joined Beacon Award and Georgetown University Energy Challenge Programs

Guidance: City currently at best practice.