Solar energy systems: permits.

Existing law, for purposes of provisions governing property rights, defines the term "solar energy system" to mean any solar collector or other solar energy device whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating or cooling, or for water heating, or any structural design feature of a building, whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation, space heating or cooling, or water heating. This bill would revise the definition of "solar energy system" to specify that a design feature additionally includes any photovoltaic device or technology that is integrated into a building, including, but not limited to, photovoltaic windows, siding, and roofing shingles or tiles. Existing law requires a city, county, or city and county to administratively approve applications to install solar energy systems through the issuance of a building permit or similar nondiscretionary permit. Existing law, until January 1, 2018, prohibits permit fees for rooftop solar energy systems that produce direct current electricity, as specified, by a city, county, city and county, or charter city from exceeding the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged, which cannot exceed $500 plus $15 per kilowatt for each kilowatt above 15kW for residential permits and, for commercial permits, $1,000 for systems up to 50kW plus $7 per kW for each kW between 51kW and 250kW, plus $5 per kW for each kW above 250kW. Existing law authorizes permit fees that exceed these charges if, as part of a written finding and adopted resolution or ordinance, the city, county, city and county, or charter city provides substantial evidence, as specified, of the reasonable cost to issue the permit. This bill would extend the applicability of the above-described limit on fees to all solar energy systems and would extend the repeal date to January 1, 2025. This bill would revise and reduce the maximum permit fees, as specified, for photovoltaic and thermal systems. This bill would authorize permit fees that exceed these charges if the city, county, city and county, or charter city provides substantial evidence, as part of a written finding and adopted resolution or ordinance, of the reasonable cost to issue the permit. The bill would require the written finding to include consideration of any reduction in permit or inspection costs. By requiring local agencies to perform additional duties for an extended period, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.