HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR - ORD-06-15 - STREAMLING ORDINANCEOF 0
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AGENDA ITEM
July 14, 2015
TO: Honorable Mayor and
Members of the City Council
THRU: Rick Otto
Interim City Manager
FROM: Peter Goodrich
Chief Building Official
ReviewedNerified By:
City Manager
Finance Director
To Be Presented By:
Peter Goodrich, Chief Building Official
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1. SUBJECT
Adoption of Ordinance 06 -15 adding Chapter 15.18 to the municipal code adopting expedited
permitting procedures for small residential rooftop solar systems.
2. SUMMARY
The adoption of the attached ordinance implements the State mandate that cities adopt an
ordinance that creates an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop
solar energy systems by September 30, 2015.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve First Reading of Ordinance No. 06 -15.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no anticipated fiscal impact as the costs would be recovered through existing building
permit fees. As noted, the Building Division is currently providing expedited review and has an
available process for electronic submittal of applications for small residential rooftop solar
systems.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL(S)
1. Provide for a safe community.
2. Provide outstanding public service.
ITEM JL5 7/14/15
6. GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Natural Resources Element
Goal 2.0: Protect air, water, and energy resources from pollution and overuse.
Policy 2.6: Encourage sustainable building and site designs for new construction and
renovation projects.
Goal 3.0: Prepare for and adapt to the effects of climate change and promote practices that
decrease the City's contribution to climate change.
Implementation Plan
Implementation Program III -11: Green Building, Energy Conservation, and Sustainable
Development
7. DISCUSSION and BACKGROUND
Section 65850.5(a) of the California Government Code provides that it is the policy of the State
to promote and encourage the installation and use of solar energy systems by limiting obstacles to
their use and by minimizing the permitting costs of such systems. In furtherance of that objective,
Section 65850.5 of the California Government Code requires that, on or before September 30,
2015, every city, county, or city and county must adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited,
streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.
The City currently expedites the review of such applications by reviewing these systems over the
counter and issuing permits. The City also currently can accept and approve such applications at
the building counter and /or electronically through the City's website. The City, then by current
process, already expedites the review of such applications.
Notwithstanding City policy and process, the State requires the adoption of an ordinance
mandated by Section 65850.5. The attached ordinance is intended to satisfy that requirement.
The ordinance codifies the requirements of Section 65850.5(g)(1), such as accepting and
approving applications electronically, directing the City's Building Official to develop a checklist
of all requirements with which small rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for
expedited review, and authorizing the Chief Building Official to administratively approve such
applications.
The proposed ordinance is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 (Class 8- Actions by Regulatory
Agencies for the Protection of the Environment). This section categorically exempts projects
from CEQA that consist of actions by regulatory agencies as authorized by State or local
ITEM 7/14/15
ordinance to assure maintenance, enhancement or protection of the environment, where the
regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment.
8. ATTACHMENTS
Ordinance 06 -15.
ITEM 7/14/15
ORDINANCE NO. 06-15
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF ORANGE AMENDING
TITLE 15 OF THE ORANGE
MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING CHAPTER
15.18 TO PROVIDE AN EXPEDITED,
STREAMLINED PERMITTING PROCESS
FOR SMALL RESIDENTIAL
ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEMS
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Orange recognizes the importance of
encouraging the installation and use of solar energy systems; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 65850.5 provides that it is the policy
of the State to promote and encourage the installation and use of solar energy systems by limiting
obstacles to their use and minimize the permitting costs of such systems; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 65850.5 requires that, on or before
September 30, 2015, every city must adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited, streamlined
permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems;
WHEREAS, the City of Orange General Plan includes goals and policies in its Natural
Resources Element, and actions in its Implementation Plan that lead development practices in the
City toward a higher level of sustainability, energy conservation, and a resulting long -term
reduced community wide contribution to human factors that may influence climate change; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is exempt from the provisions of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 (Class 8-
Actions by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of the Environment) because it is an action to
adopt an ordinance to assure maintenance, enhancement or protection of the environment, where
the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment and does not
involve construction activities or the relaxation of standards.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Orange as
follows:
SECTION I:
Title 15 of the Orange Municipal Code is hereby amended, adding Chapter 15.18 to the
Municipal Code, establishing an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential
rooftop solar systems, which shall read as follows:
"Chapter 15.18 SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEMS - EXPEDITED
PERMIT PROCESS