Chapter 15.68
GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM
Sections:
15.68.040 Notice of availability of expedited processing and fee waivers.
15.68.070 Payment of building permit fees.
15.68.080 Inspections for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.
15.68.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide opportunities for energy conservation with respect to residential development pursuant to California Government Code Section 65583(a)(7) and the city’s adopted 2014 – 2021 Housing Element Program 11, Encourage Energy Conservation. This chapter is also intended to create an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process that complies with the Solar Rights Act, as amended by AB 2188 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014), to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. This chapter establishes a procedure for expedited processing and fee waivers when project proponents agree to incorporate environmentally sensitive, sustainable, and energy efficient construction techniques into their projects. Additionally, this chapter establishes a solar education program. [Ord. 2015-168 § 1; Ord. 2014-163 § 3].
15.68.020 Definitions.
“AFUE” means annual fuel utilization efficiency and it measures how much gas is used to heat the home.
“ASHRAE handbook” means a reference to industry standards according to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers.
“Domestic hot water needs” means the size of the hot water based on the number of bathrooms and bedrooms within a home.
“Electronic submittal” means the utilization of one or more of the following:
1. Email;
2. The Internet;
3. Facsimile.
“Energy compliant” means the appliance meets the minimum efficiency standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“FAU” means forced air unit; pushes air through the ducts.
“Livable area” means any area within the home that is part of the insulated space.
“NFRC performance specification U value” is the National Fenestration Rating Council’s specification to measure the flow of heat through the glass.
“SEER value” means seasonal energy efficiency ratio that rates the cooling output of an air conditioner.
“SHGC” means solar heat gain coefficient and is the measure used to determine solar radiation that passes through the glazing of the glass.
“Small residential rooftop solar energy system” means a solar energy system that meets all of the following:
1. Is no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or 30 kilowatts thermal;
2. Conforms to all applicable state fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the city, and all state and city health and safety standards;
3. Conforms to all applicable safety and performance standards established by the California Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories and, where applicable, rules of the Public Utilities Commission regarding safety and reliability;
4. Is installed on a single or duplex family dwelling;
5. The panel or module array does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the city.
“Solar energy system” has the meaning set forth in California Civil Code Sections 801.5(a)(1) and (2), as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time to time.
“Ultralow-e and low solar heat gain coefficient” means “lower emissivity,” which describes the additives put into the glazing. The lower the SHGC, the better the insulating capability. [Ord. 2015-168 § 1; Ord. 2014-163 § 3].
Cross-reference: definitions generally, AVMC 1.02.010.
15.68.030 Applicability.
A. Expedited Permit Processing and Fee Waivers. A request for expedited permit processing and fee waivers will apply to individuals applying for the following building permit types and thresholds for residential homeowners:
1. Solar photovoltaic for one-half watt/square foot of the total square footage of the home.
2. Small residential rooftop solar energy systems.
3. Solar thermal which meets 50 percent of the domestic hot water needs.
4. Tankless domestic water heater which eliminates the traditional hot water heater and is the appropriately sized natural gas tankless water heater for the entire house.
5. Windows and doors containing glass that replaces 90 percent of total windows and glass door area within the livable area of the home with an ultralow-e and low solar heat gain coefficient. The glass must meet the following NFRC performance specification: U value = 0.34 and SHGC = 0.33 or lower.
6. High efficiency air conditioning units with a SEER rating of 16.
7. High efficiency FAU with an AFUE rating of 78 percent.
B. Solar Education Program. The solar education program will be promoted citywide to encourage use of passive solar systems in new and rehabilitated residential construction to improve energy efficiency of housing units. The citywide promotion shall include educational information made available on the city’s website, through various social media outlets, city meetings, and at the public counter at City Hall. [Ord. 2015-168 § 1; Ord. 2014-163 § 3].
15.68.040 Notice of availability of expedited processing and fee waivers.
Notice of the availability of expedited processing and 25 percent fee waivers for residential homeowners incorporating the energy efficient measures described in AVMC 15.68.030(A) shall be prominently displayed at the city’s public counter located at City Hall to inform the public of the new procedure. [Ord. 2015-168 § 1; Ord. 2014-163 § 3].
15.68.050 Filing of request.
A. Required Information. Requests for expedited processing and/or fee waivers shall be submitted to the city in writing on the city’s application for building permits and all requests shall provide all of the following information, data and related submittals:
1. Name and address of the individual(s) requesting the building permit with the expedited processing and fee waiver.
2. Name and address of the property owner.
3. Name and address of the property for which the building permit with the expedited processing and fee waiver is requested.
4. Description of the work and identification of the AVMC 15.68.030(A) criteria that are met by the proposed scope of work.
5. For a solar photovoltaic project, other than a small residential rooftop solar energy system, in addition to the required information identified in subsections (A)(1) through (4) of this section, three sets of complete plans are required prior to the issuance of a building permit for solar photovoltaic. The plans shall include a site plan, electrical plan, and construction details.
6. For small residential rooftop solar energy systems, in addition to the required information identified in subsections (A)(1) through (4) of this section, submission of the city’s completed checklist and standard plans, which substantially conform to the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook adopted by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, and are available on the city’s website.
7. For a solar thermal project, in addition to the required information identified in subsections (A)(1) through (4) of this section, three sets of complete plans are required prior to the issuance of a building permit for solar thermal. The plans shall include a site plan, electrical plan, and construction details (including manufacturer and plumbing details).
8. For a tankless water heater, in addition to the required information identified in subsections (A)(1) through (4) of this section, three sets of complete plans including current, applicable California Energy Code compliance forms are required prior to the issuance of a building permit for a tankless water heater. The plans shall include a site plan, water lines, gas lines (size and length), venting and electrical for installation.
9. For window(s) and/or door(s), in addition to the required information identified in subsections (A)(1) through (4) of this section, three sets of complete plans including current, applicable California Energy Code compliance forms are required prior to the issuance of a building permit for windows and doors. The plans shall include a site plan, elevation plan if the windows/doors are in a new location/size, and floor plan with identified window/door types and sizes, and energy ratings of new glazing as well as proof of homeowners’ association approval.
10. For an air conditioner, in addition to the required information identified in subsections (A)(1) through (4) of this section, three sets of complete plans including current, applicable California Energy Code compliance forms are required prior to the issuance of a building permit for an air conditioner. The plans shall include the site plan with the location of the air conditioning unit(s) with the SEER rating as well as proof of homeowners’ association approval for new installations (rather than replacement units).
11. For an FAU, in addition to the required information identified in subsections (A)(1) through (4) of this section, three sets of complete plans including current, applicable California Energy Code compliance forms are required prior to the issuance of a building permit for a FAU. The plans shall include the site plan with the location of the FAU and AFUE rating for new installations (rather than replacement units).
B. Electronic Submittals for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems.
1. Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents by electronic means shall be made available for small residential rooftop solar energy systems permit applicants. The city’s website shall specify the permitted method of electronic document submission.
2. An applicant’s electronic signature shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature. [Ord. 2015-168 § 1; Ord. 2014-163 § 3].
15.68.060 Review of request.
A. Reviewing Authority. The reviewing authority for all the permits identified under AVMC 15.68.030 shall be the building official, and for windows and doors (AVMC 15.68.030(A)(5)) and air conditioning units (AVMC 15.68.030(A)(6)), the reviewing authority shall also include the director of planning services or his or her designee.
B. Expedited Processing. If all of the information is submitted and approved pursuant to AVMC 15.68.050, including supporting documents, and within the building department’s public counter hours, a permit shall be issued on the day of the approval by the building official, or his or her designee.
C. Incomplete Applications. If an application is deemed incomplete, a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance shall be sent to the applicant for resubmission.
D. The city shall not condition approval of an application for a solar energy system on the approval of an association, as defined in California Civil Code Section 4080. [Ord. 2015-168 § 1; Ord. 2014-163 § 3].
15.68.070 Payment of building permit fees.
A waiving of 25 percent of the building permit fees shall be applicable when the agent or the residential homeowner applying for one of the permits identified under AVMC 15.68.030(A) meets the required threshold in that section. [Ord. 2015-168 § 1; Ord. 2014-163 § 3].
15.68.080 Inspections for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.
A. Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the building division for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review. The inspection shall be done in a timely manner.
B. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized but the inspection timing need not conform to the requirements of this chapter. [Ord. 2015-168 § 1].