Town of Pelham, NY

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

Guidance: Consider adopting the NY State Unified Solar Permit application for qualifying projects under 10kW.

Initial Status: Permit application forms are only available in person

Guidance: If a standard PV application form is adopted per goal [P1], make this form available online in an easily accessible location.

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: Typical permit turnaround time is >30 days

Guidance: Consider an expedited or over-the-counter permit 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: Valuation based fee structure with additional fixed cost for certificate of occupancy

Guidance: The permit fee for a typical residential system has a total cost of around $950. This is a bit high for residential systems; consider capping the permit fee portion at $250 or less.

Initial Status: Valuation based fee structure with additional fixed cost for certificate of occupancy

Guidance: Valuation based fee will become cost prohibitive for larger commercial systems. Consider basing the commercial permit fee on cost recovery, or if a flat fee is used keep the fee amount under $500.

Initial Status: Typical turnaround time from request to inspection is unknown.

Guidance: Consider performing inspection within 2 business days of request, especially for standard residential systems meeting certain qualifying criteria.

Initial Status: Inspection appointment window is unknown at this time

Guidance: Offer convenient inspections windows to less than 4 hours. If contractor is required to be on site for inspection, consider a method for alerting contractor of the inspector's status, such as a phone call or text when the inspector is headed for the site.

Initial Status: Separate final inspections for structural and electrical

Guidance: Though 2 inspections are required, the electrical inspection is outside of Town jurisdiction. Only a single inspection is required by the Town.

Initial Status: Inspection checklist in use currently

Guidance: The checklist serves as a guide for inspectors and installers containing points of emphasis and common issues. Ideally this is a regional document.

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: Current codes are the 2008 NEC and state codes based on the 2009 ICC

Guidance: Though the Town is on an older code cycle, 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: No solar ready standards in place currently

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

Initial Status: Not aware of any energy goals in long term planning currently

Guidance: Consider making solar development an official goal of the Town by integrating solar development goals into long term planning documents.

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

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: Limited 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: Town has not explored aggregated procurement for residential sector.

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 not explored aggregated procurement for the municipal facilities

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: Town has not explored installing solar at municipal facilities.

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 (City/Town) properties.

Initial Status: Limited awareness of these tools locally

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

Initial Status: Town is a member of Sustainable Westchester.