Town of Cortlandt, NY

Initial Status: The Town has adopted the NY State Unified Solar Permit

Guidance: Town currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Permit application forms are available are online

Guidance: Town currently at best practice.

Initial Status: Original, hard copies are currently required in person

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

Initial Status: Only a single submittal is required.

Initial Status: Permit process information including point-of-contact and fee schedule is available online

Initial Status: Permit turnaround normally within 3 business days residential, 5 days commercial

Initial Status: Residential permit fee is a flat fee of $350

Initial Status: Commercial permit fee is flat and >$500.

Initial Status: Typical turnaround time from request to inspection is 6 - 10 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: rovide 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: Town requires one final inspection.

Initial Status: Town has adopted an Inspection Checklist for qualifying systems.

Initial Status: A structural PE stamp is currently required for both residential and commercial systems.

Guidance: For qualifying residential systems meeting certain criteria, allow an exemption from structural analysis or structural PE stamp requirements. See examples of criteria used by other communities under the 'Take Action' button at right.

Initial Status: Town officials seem knowledgeable of the most recent codes and current solar standards.

Guidance: Officials seem knowledgeable on current solar standards. See the 'Take Action' button at right for additional resources for ongoing solar-related education for building officials.

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: Solar ready construction is not required for new construction.

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

Initial Status: Town has PV priorities within their Climate Smart Communities Profile.

Initial Status: Zoning code does not specifically address solar.

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: 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.

Initial Status: Local vendors offer 3rd party finance, and NYSERDA Green Jobs Green NY offers low interest loans

Guidance: Effective finance options are offered in the region.

Initial Status: Some awareness exists within the community currently

Guidance: Publicize the availability of local solar finance options and solar evaluation tools for potential buyers. Consider doing this by linking more visibly to the Town's participation in Sustainable Westchester which has many resources available.

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: No collaborative procurement programs within the town.

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: The town installed solar PV at a youth recreation center

Guidance: Drawing on this initial experience, consider exploring solar feasibility at additional sites / larger sites such as landfills or water treatment plants. Per goal [M3] consider working with other local agencies on a collaborative procurement to reduce costs.

Initial Status: Limited awareness within the community currently.

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

Initial Status: Village is a member of Sustainable Westchester