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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING RATE: <br />AUGUST 4, 2015 <br />TITLE: <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />• 67 r <br />❑ As Recommended <br />❑ As Amended <br />❑ Ordinance on Ia' Reading <br />❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading <br />❑ Implementing Resolution <br />❑ Set Public Hearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 8 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code regarding streamlined <br />permitting procedures for small residential rooftop solar systems to be in compliance with <br />California Assembly Bill 2198. <br />DISCUSSON <br />in 2012, Assembly Bill 1801 amended the California Government Code (Section 66850,5) to <br />promote the installation and use of solar energy by removing obstacles to, and minimizing costs <br />of solar permitting. This Code Section was further amended in 2014 by Assembly Bill 2188 <br />(AB2188) which states that on or before September 30, 2015, every city must adopt an ordinance <br />that creates an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar <br />energy systems. <br />For many years the City has lead the county in promoting the use of solar energy by waiving all <br />permit, plan check and inspection fees regarding solar projects, In addition to waiving the fees, <br />the Planning and Building Agency also instituted an expedited review and permitting process for <br />qualifying small residential rooftop solar energy systems by reviewing and issuing permits same <br />day over - the - counter, Approved plans are then subject to field review by City inspection staff. <br />Waiving flees and expediting the permit process has resulted in an exponential growth In solar <br />Installations in the City from only three in 2007 to more than 320 in 2014?. <br />Although the solar permit fee waiver ended in 2015, the Building Safety Division continues to <br />promote solar energy through expedited review and permitting, While the current process meets <br />the intent of Assembly Bill 2188, the City must codify these processes in an ordinance to be in <br />compliance with the Bill. The proposed ordinance amendment will append to Chapter 8 of the <br />Santa Ana Municipal Code to include: new definitions, provisions for accepting and approving <br />applications electronically, directing the City's Building Official to develop a checklist of all <br />requirements with which small rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for <br />Santa Ana Property Information Network (SAPIN) Permits Issued report for calendar year 2007 end 2014 <br />75C -1 <br />