Fees: Renewable Energy Systems

SB 1222 (Leno) – Request Comment
As Amended April 9, 2012

SB 1222 by Senator Mark Leno, would prohibit cities and counties with a population of over 10,000 residents from charging permit fees for rooftop solar energy systems that exceed the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged, which shall not exceed three hundred dollars ($300). The bill further requires cities and counties to prepare a report regarding various aspects of the cities’ or counties’ process and procedure for permitting rooftop solar energy systems. The reports must be submitted to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission no later than December 1, 2013. Cities and counties may impose fees that exceed the $300 cap provided their report includes a calculation related to the administrative costs to issue such permits. 

SB 1222 is scheduled to be heard before the Senate Governance and Finance Committee on Wednesday, April 25.

AB 1801 (Campos) – Request Comment
As Amended April 9, 2012

AB 1801, by Assembly Member Nora Campos, would specify that the total amount of fees charged by a local agency to install a renewable energy system shall not exceed $3,000 for a 131-kilowatt commercial system, $600 for a 15-kilowatt residential system, or the actual cost of providing the service for which the fees are charged. The bill would also prohibit a local agency from calculating a fee for a renewable energy system by utilizing the valuation of the renewable energy system, any costs associated with the installation of the system, or any other costs not directly associated with the costs to issue the permit, and would require the local agency to identify the individual fees assessed on the invoice provided to the applicant. 

In addition to placing limitations on local fees for renewable energy systems, AB 1801 would also prohibit a local agency from charging various other fees based upon the value of the property being improved, or the improvement, materials, or labor costs associated with the improvement. 

AB 1801 has been referred to the Assembly Local Government Committee.

Fire Safety 

SB 1241 (Kehoe) – Oppose
As Amended 2012

SB 1241, by Senator Christine Kehoe, would require cities and counties to review and update their General Plan’s Safety Element to address fire risks on land classified as State Responsibility Area (SRA) and very high fire hazard severity zones. These revisions to the safety element must be in place before January 1, 2015 and updated each time they revise their housing elements.

SB 1241 would also require counties to make specified findings before approving a tentative map for an area located in a SRA or a very high fire hazard severity zone.

CSAC and the Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) oppose SB 1241 because of the costs associated with its implementation, linkage with the housing plan update, and redundancy of its requirements. We are working with the author in developing amendments that would result in the removal of our opposition. This measure is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Governance and Finance Committee on Wednesday, April 18.