Title
Adopt an ordinance adding Chapter 18.17 to the Monterey County Code to establish an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems in the unincorporated area of Monterey County.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Adopt an ordinance adding Chapter 18.17 to the Monterey County Code to establish an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems in the unincorporated area of Monterey County.
SUMMARY:
On September 22, 2015, the Board of Supervisors introduced the ordinance, waived the reading, and considered the ordinance. The Board set September 29, 2015 at 10:30 am (consent calendar) as the date and time to adopt the ordinance.
In September 2014, the California State Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, Assembly Bill 2188 (AB 2188), which requires local agencies to have expedited permit processing for small residential rooftop solar energy systems. This legislative action revised two parts of the California Solar Rights Act; specifically, it amends Section 714 of the Civil Code, and Section 65850.5 of the Government Code, relating to solar energy.
Government Code Section 65850.5 mandates adoption of an ordinance on or before September 30, 2015 that creates an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems. The proposed ordinance would add Chapter 18.17 to provide for this process as required by AB 2188. This ordinance would apply to solar energy systems below 10 kilowatts installed on a single family or duplex dwelling that does not exceed the maximum legal building height.
The Resource Management Agency-Building Services (RMA-Building Services) anticipates needing only minimal changes in its current procedures in order to comply with AB 2188. RMA-Building Services currently accepts applications via email for the majority of its solar permits and meets...
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