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File Number: 15-572 <br />7-5-200 DEFINITIONS. <br />(a)A “Solar Energy System” means either of the following: <br />(1)Any solar collector or other solar energy device whose primary purpose is to provide <br />for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating, space cooling, <br />electric generation, or water heating. <br />(2)Any structural design feature of a building, whose primary purpose is to provide for <br />the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation, space heating <br />or cooling, or for water heating. <br />(b)A “small residential rooftop solar energy system” means a solar energy system <br />which meets all of the following criteria: <br />(1)Is no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or 30 kilowatts <br />thermal. <br />(2)Conforms to all applicable state fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes <br />as adopted or amended by the City, and all state and City health and safety standards. <br />(3)Is installed on a single or duplex family dwelling. <br />(4)Contains a solar panel or module array that does not exceed the City’s maximum <br />legal building height. <br />(c)“Electronic submittal” means the utilization of one or more of the following: <br />(1)Email; <br />(2)The Internet; <br />(3)Facsimile. <br />(d)“Specific, adverse impact” means a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable <br />impact, based on objective, identified, and written public health or safety standards, policies, <br />or conditions as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete. <br />(e)“Reasonable restrictions” on a solar energy system are those restrictions that do not <br />significantly increase the cost of the system or significantly decrease its efficiency or specified <br />performance, or that allow for an alternative system of comparable cost, efficiency, and <br />energy conservation benefits. <br />(f)“Significantly increase the cost of the system or decrease its efficiency or specified <br />performance” means: <br />(1)For Water Heater Systems or Solar Swimming Pool Heating Systems: an increase <br />in the cost of the system as originally proposed exceeding the lesser of ten percent (10%) or <br />one thousand dollars ($1,000), or a decrease in the efficiency of the solar energy system as <br />originally proposed by more than ten percent (10%). <br />(2)For Photovoltaic Systems: an increase in the cost of the system as originally <br />proposed exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or a decrease in system efficiency <br />exceeding ten percent (10%). <br />7-5-205 PURPOSE. <br />The purpose of the Ordinance is to adopt an expedited, streamlined solar permitting <br />process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems that complies with the requirements <br />of state law. <br />7-5-210 APPLICABILITY. <br />(a)This Ordinance applies to the permitting of all small residential rooftop solar energy <br />systems in the City. <br />(b)Small residential rooftop solar energy systems legally established or permitted prior <br />to the effective date of this Ordinance are not subject to the requirements of this Ordinance <br />Page 2 City of San Leandro Printed on 10/13/2015