City of Sutter Creek, CA

Initial Status: There is a standard building permit application form, but nothing specific to PV currently.

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 forms are 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.

Initial Status: Permit application can be submitted online or in-person, or sent via email or regular mail.

Initial Status: Single submittal of permit application.

Initial Status: Fee schedule and inspection checklist are not 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 us 6-10 days for residential projects, 11-15 days for commercial projects.

Guidance: Consider an expedited or over-the-counter permit (OTC) approval process for qualifying PV projects using a standard application form (see goal P1). For all projects, issue or deny permit within 3 business days of submittal for residential and within 5 business days for commercial.

Initial Status: Permit fees average $251-$500.

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 fee structure is not available online.

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: Inspection request turnaround time is within 2 days for both residential and commercial projects.

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

Initial Status: Multiple inspection visits are required.

Guidance: Require only a single permit inspection. If additional inspections are required during installation, conduct 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: No structural exemption for qualifying systems.

Guidance: For qualifying residential systems meeting certain criteria, allow an exemption from structural analysis or structural PE stamp requirements.

Initial Status: Current knowledge level of staff regarding recent solar standards unknown.

Guidance: Permitting department understands latest changes to the 2013 California Building, Residential, and Fire Codes that apply to Solar PV installations.

Initial Status: No existing ordinance to streamline process for qualifying projects.

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: Local ordinance does not require solar ready construction.

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: Solar development goals are included in General Plan and Energy Action Plan.

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

Initial Status: Solar PV projects located within the Historic District must obtain Committee approval before project can proceed.

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 implementation of Local PACE financing.

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: 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 known 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.