HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD NO. 15-1357 (SM. RES. SOLAR ENERGY SYS.)1
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ORDINANCE NO. 15-1357
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 17.46.220 OF THE
HERMOSA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING
STREAMLINED PERMITTING OF SMALL RESIDENTIAL
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA,
DOES FIND, ORDAIN AND DECLARE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Findings.
In September 2014, the Governor signed AB 2188 (Muratsuchi 2014), which among other
things, requires local governments to adopt an ordinance by September 30, 2015 creating an
expedited permit process for small residential rooftop solar installations.
The City has historically promoted the use of solar energy systems; however, this
Ordinance is necessary to establish an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small
residential rooftop solar energy systems in compliance with AB 2188.
SECTION 2. Title 17, Chapter 17.46, Section 17.46.220 of the Hermosa Beach Municipal
Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Solar energy systems —height limit exception and streamlined permitting.
Solar energy systems shall be permitted, installed and constructed in conformance with the
following:
A. Purpose: To promote the use of solar energy systems in accordance with State law
while protecting the public health and safety.
B. Definitions:
1. "Ancillary solar equipment" means any accessory part or device of a solar energy
system that does not require direct access to sunlight, such as batteries, electric meters, AC/DC
converters or water heater tanks.
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2. "Small residential rooftop solar energy system" has the meaning set forth
California Government Code Section 65850.50)(3).
3. "Solar collector" means any part or device of a solar energy system that requires
direct access to sunlight and is typically located on the rooftop, such as solar panels and solar hot
water or swimming pool heaters.
4. "Solar energy system" has the meaning set forth in California Civil Code Section
801.5(a).
C. Development Standards:
1. Solar collectors and solar energy systems may exceed the height limits mandated
by this Code to the minimum extent necessary for their safe and efficient operation in accordance
with the California Building Code and other applicable provisions of State law.
2. Where feasible, solar energy systems shall be integrated into the design of the
structure as an architectural element.
3. Where feasible, roof -mounted solar energy systems shall be located in such
manner as to ensure emergency access to the roof, provide areas for smoke ventilation
opportunities and provide emergency egress from the roof.
4. Where feasible, ancillary solar equipment shall be located inside the building or
screened from public view.
5. Solar energy systems shall be erected in a secure, wind resistant manner and
maintained in good condition.
6. Other applicable development standards in this Code may be modified by the
Community Development Director ("the Director") in the case where compliance would
demonstrably reduce the operating efficiency or performance of a solar energy system and
compliance will not adversely impact public health and safety.
7. The provisions of Section 15.04.084 of this Code shall apply to rooftop solar
energy system installations.
D. Streamlined Permitting:
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1. An administrative permit issued pursuant to Chapter 17.55 of this Code shall be
required for small residential rooftop solar energy system installations.
2. The Director shall process applications for small residential rooftop solar energy
systems in an expedited and streamlined manner, meaning that within forty-five (45) days of
receipt of a complete application, an administrative permit shall be issued for any small residential
rooftop solar energy system satisfying the following criteria:
(a) The small residential rooftop solar energy system satisfies the eligibility
criteria set forth in the expedited, streamlined permitting checklist adopted by the City in
compliance with the Solar Permitting Efficiency Act;
(b) The City has received a complete application satisfying the requirements
of all applicable solar energy system permitting checklists; and
(c) The installation passes an inspection.
3. Decisions of the Director under this Section may be appealed to the Planning
Commission pursuant to Section 17.55.050.
4. Applications for permits required by this Section and associated documentation
may be submitted electronically, and an applicant may provide an electronic signature in lieu of a
wet signature.
5. Solar energy systems other than small residential rooftop solar energy systems
are not eligible for streamlined permitting under this Section.
SECTION 3. The solar energy system permitting checklists created by the Director are
approved. The Director is hereby directed to publish the streamlined permitting checklist and
associated documentation on the City's website and take all other actions reasonable and necessary
to comply with the Solar Permitting Efficiency Act.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance,
shall enter the same in the book of original Ordinances of said city, and shall make minutes of the
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passage and adoption thereof in the records of the proceedings of the City Council at which the
same is passed and adopted.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 8th day of September, 2015 by the following vote:
AYES:
DiVirgilio, Fangary, Tucker, Mayor Petty
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
the City Cou6il and MAYOR of the City of Hermosa Beach, California
ATTEST: PROVED AS O FORM:
City Clerk A76arney
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15-1357
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH )
I, Elaine Doerfling, City Clerk of the City of Hermosa Beach, California, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 15-1357 was duly and regularly passed,
approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach at a regular
meeting held at the regular meeting place thereof on the 8th day of September, 2015, and
said Ordinance will be published in the Easy Reader newspaper on September 17, 2015.
The vote was as follows:
AYES: DiVirgilio, Fangary, Tucker, Mayor Petty
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
DATED: September 8, 2015