Town of Bedford, NY

Initial Status: Town of Bedford has adopted the Unified Solar Permit

Initial Status: Permit application is available in-person, can be downloaded online, and sent via email or regular mail if requested.

Initial Status: Permit application form can be submitted in person only.

Guidance: Allow email submittal of permit application forms for qualifying projects.

Initial Status: Single permit application submittal.

Initial Status: Permit and inspection process information and fee schedule is available online

Initial Status: Permit processing time is equal to or less than 3 days for residential, and 5 days for commercial. Adopted Standardized Solar Permit.

Initial Status: Permit application fee for residential projects is a flat fee of $300.

Guidance: Base residential permit fees on cost recovery, or if a flat fee is used keep the fee amount under $250.

Initial Status: Permit application fee for commercial projects is a flat fee of $300.

Initial Status: Inspection request turnaround time is between 3 - 5 days for residential and >10 days for commercial

Guidance: Perform inspection within 2 business days of request.

Initial Status: Inspection appointment window given is 3-4 hours.

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 are required for Electrical Final and Strucutral/Building Final.

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: Inspection checklist currently in use.

Guidance: Ideally the checklist is standardized across the region.

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

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

Initial Status: Currently on 2008 NEC, NFPA-70 and Residential Code of New York State 2010.

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

Guidance: Create local ordinances which would protect property owners' right to install solar and ensure their property has unobstructed access to direct sunlight.

Initial Status: No local solar ready construction via ordinances or building codes.

Guidance: Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready.

Initial Status: Bedford's adoption of a Climate Action Plan (2009) led to an public-private partnership.

Initial Status: Zoning code does not specifically address solar, but existing regulations do not restrict solar in any way

Guidance: Ensure 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: Zoning code for historic and viewshed areas does not specifically address 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.

Initial Status: Unknown whether local HOAs have any restrictive policies. To be determined.

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.

Guidance: Establish a working group to evaluate the potential of a PACE financing program for clean energy upgrades in your jurisdiction based on national examples by local municipalities.

Initial Status: No information at this time.

Guidance: Encourage local financial institutions to establish loan programs for solar energy systems.

Initial Status: Info on solar finance programs and incentives available online

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: The town has not participated in any such programs to date.

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: Town has collaborated to install solar on schools. Town of Bedford is also responding with Village of Mt. Kisco as joint application for the Solarize Municipal RFI.

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.

Initial Status: No known projects at these sites currently.

Guidance: Establish a working group to identify 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 Bedford properties.

Initial Status: No public access to these educational resources currently.

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

Initial Status: Town of Bedford is founding member of NWEAC (soon to become Sustainable Westchester).