66015.
(a) For a residential rooftop solar energy system that produces direct current electricity: system:(1) A city, county, city and county, or charter city shall not charge a residential permit fee that exceeds the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged. Except as provided in paragraph (2), for photovoltaic systems, that fee shall not exceed five hundred
three hundred fifty dollars ($500) ($350) plus fifteen dollars ($15) per kilowatt for each kilowatt above 15kW. Except as provided in paragraph (2), for thermal systems, that fee shall not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350) plus fifteen dollars ($15) per kilowatt thermal for each kilowatt thermal above 10kWth.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a city, county, city and county, or charter city may charge a residential permit fee for a rooftop solar energy system that exceeds the fees specified in paragraph (1) if, as part
of a written finding and an adopted resolution or ordinance, it provides substantial evidence of the reasonable cost to issue the permit.
(b) For a commercial rooftop solar energy system that produces direct current electricity: system:
(1) A city, county, city and county, or charter city shall not charge a commercial permit fee that exceeds the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged. Except as provided in paragraph (2), for photovoltaic systems, the fee shall not
exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for systems up to 50kW plus seven dollars ($7) per kilowatt for each kilowatt between 51kW and 250kW, plus five dollars ($5) per kilowatt for each kilowatt above 250kW. Except as provided in paragraph (2), for thermal systems, the fee shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for systems up to 30kWth, plus seven dollars ($7) per kilowatt thermal for each kilowatt thermal between 30kWth and 260kWth, plus five dollars ($5) per kilowatt thermal for each kilowatt thermal above 260 kWth.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a city, county, city and county, or charter city may charge a commercial permit fee for a rooftop solar energy system that exceeds the applicable fee specified in paragraph (1) if, as part of a written
finding and an adopted resolution or ordinance, it provides substantial evidence of the reasonable cost to issue the permit. permit and the duration of the charge for this excess amount is not more than two years from the date of adoption of the resolution or ordinance that first establishes the commercial permit fee.
(c) An ordinance adopted pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) or (b) shall fully describe the permitting process, including requirements for electronic submission, with electronic signature, of a permit application and supporting materials and single inspection requirements for small residential rooftop solar energy systems pursuant to subdivisions (g)
and (h) of Section 65850.5.
(c)
(d) A written finding adopted pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) or (b) shall include all of the following:
(1) A determination that the municipality has adopted appropriate ordinances, permit fees, and processes to streamline the submittal and approval of permits for solar energy systems pursuant to the practices and policies in state guidelines
guidelines, the checklists and standard plans in the California Solar Permitting Guidebook, and model ordinances.
(2) A calculation related to the administrative cost of issuing a solar rooftop permit. permit that includes consideration of any reduction in costs to issue the permit or inspect a solar energy system pursuant to Section 65850.5.
(3) A description of how the higher fee will result in a quick and streamlined approval process.
(d)
(e) For purposes of this section, “administrative costs” means the costs incurred in connection with the review, approval, and issuance of the permit, and the hourly site inspection and followup costs, and may also include an amortization of the costs incurred in connection with producing a written finding and adopting an ordinance or resolution pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b).
(e)
(f) For purposes of this section, “residential permit fee” means the sum of all charges levied by a city, county, city and county, or charter city in connection with the application for a rooftop
solar energy system.
(f)
(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that a city, county, city and county, or charter city that meets the obligations of subdivisions (a) and (b) receive priority access to state funds for the purposes of distributed energy generation planning, permitting, training, or implementation.
(g)This chapter shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed.