Now that CALSSA has provided the solar industry clarity regarding the Shelter in Place orders, our focus turns to building departments and the permitting process. Governor Newsom’s clarification on the Essential Services exemption includes workers that “ensure continuity of building functions,” which we assume to include building departments. However, many building departments across the state are closing due to COVID-19, causing major disruption to the construction industry at-large. CALSSA is collecting real-time data from around the state as to which building departments are currently shut down, which remain open, and which are open but under new restrictions.  If you haven’t already, please send us your input by filling out this Google form. 

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 experience underscores the importance of shifting California’s permitting and inspection toward a more streamlined, virtualized process. Permitting in this “new normal” environment aligns well with what CALSSA has long advocated for: “no touch,” aka streamlined permitting to both protect public health and lower soft costs.   

What can building departments do to reduce “face to face” interactions but still protect public safety and ensure quality installations?

1) Accept permit applications online: Building departments can set up an email address or online platform to accept permit applications. Another department in their local government might have a platform they can use.

2) Issue permits online: Plan checkers can review applications and issue permits or corrections via email or the online platform.

3) Allow application fees to be paid virtually: Building departments can accept payments online or over the phone. Other local government departments like property tax collection might be able to help set up this system. Alternatively, building departments can accept checks via the mail or waive permit fees. 

4) Shift inspections to photos or live videos: Contractors can take photos of the installation and/or provide the inspector a live video tour (via Google Hangouts, Skype, FaceTime, etc.) for inspection. Here are some examples from Los Angeles County, New York, and North Las Vegas.

5) Consider a one-page permitting application: Many jurisdictions have already adopted a one-page permitting application, which allows for a simplified and fast online approval. Here’s an example from the City of Oceanside.

What can solar and storage contractors do?

1) Have conversations with your local building departments: As building departments take steps to carry out their responsibilities while following social distancing protocols, they could benefit from instating no-touch permitting practices. We are hearing from our members that you are having conversations with building officials and their staff about the types of no-touch permitting, the success of no-touch permitting in other jurisdictions, and encouraging them to follow suit. Keep it up!

2) Let us know how building departments are operating today: CALSSA is crowdsourcing information on which no-touch permitting processes every jurisdiction in California has adopted. We can use the information you provide to work with specific jurisdictions on implementing no-touch permitting. Also, we will post the information online so you can know which building departments are open for business and how to conduct that business. Please help us by filling out the Google form.

3) Promote the SolarAPP: Since last summer, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, under the guidance of CALSSA and other industry players, has been developing a solar permitting platform called SolarAPP. Once completed, SolarAPP will be available to all jurisdictions, and we plan to update the software functionality to include energy storage systems, solar thermal, and other clean energy technologies. For jurisdictions looking for a no-cost permitting platform, you can start pitching them on the SolarAPP. A beta version will be available in July. A one-pager you can share with building departments is available here.