June 20, 2023
Community Development
DATE: June 20, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Lina Velasco, Director of Community Development
Chris Castanchoa, Building Official
Subject:
California Automated Permit Processing (CalAPP) Grant
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The California Energy Commission Grant funds of $80,000 will be added to the Building’s Division Budget.
Specifically, revenues related to the grant will go to
account string: 15063619-334351-(project code TBD)
and expenditures to account string: 15063619-400201-
(project code TBD). The project code for the grant will be created once accepted by the City Council. The grant
term will be for two years.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
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STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff is requesting City Council authorization to
accept and appropriate a $80,000 California Automated
Permit Processing (CalAPP) grant from the California
Energy Commission (CEC) to design and implement an
automated permit process for Solar Energy projects.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE an $80,000 California
Automated Permit Processing (CalAPP) grant from the
California Energy Commission (CEC) to design and
implement an automated permit process for Solar Energy
projects; and AUTHORIZE the city manager or their
designee to execute Grant Agreement – Community
Development Department (Lina Velasco/Chris
Castanchoa 510-620-6706).
AGENDA
REPORT
June 20, 2023
DISCUSSION:
The California Energy Commission (CEC) allocated funding to provide municipalities with resources to establish online solar permitting. The funds are intended to help local governments in California recover the cost of establishing an eligible automated, solar permitting platform (such as SolarApp+). The platform will serve as a tool to enhance collaboration between City staff and solar installers. The benefits include modernization of permit processing, collaboration between City building departments and solar companies, standardization of the approval process, and increased access to renewable energy for residents.
As outlined in the Grant Guidelines, by accepting the grant, the City agrees to use the funds to pay for ongoing in-house staff labor associated directly with adoption and maintenance of the automated permitting platform; third-party or consultant time associated directly with adoption and maintenance of the platform; staff training and education; training events for local installers on how to use the platform; and maintenance, such as adding support for energy storage paired with solar energy permitting, and subscription cost for permit tracking software in support of adopted permitting platform.
Per the City’s population, the City is eligible for $80,000 to implement this online platform, provide maintenance, and provide training to City staff and solar contractors.
This effort will provide City staff with resources and tools to accelerate solar adoption while ensuring home solar and storage systems are safe and compliant with building regulations. The launch of the automated permitting program is anticipated to go live this summer and training and maintenance funding will follow through December 2025.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Final Packet Application