INFORMATION BULLETIN / PUBLIC GENERAL INFORMATION REFERENCE NO.: LAMC 91.1301, 93.690 Effective: 01-01-2014 DOCUMENT NO.: P/GI 2014-027 Revised: 11-07-2014 Previously Issued As: P/GI 2011-027 GUIDELINES FOR PLAN CHECK AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS The purpose of this Information Bulletin is to clarify the plan check and permitting process by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) for solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar water heating systems, hereby referred to as solar energy systems. I. BUILDING PLAN CHECK/PERMIT AND MATERIALS APPROVAL FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS A. Zoning Requirements: Structures that support solar energy panels and associated equipment shall conform to the same Zoning Code requirements such as height, yards, HPOZ, Specific Plans, and ICOs, as for a building/structure. Water heater equipment accessory to the solar devices may be located with the same limitations as specified in the Information Bulletin P/ZC 2002-006: Allowable Projections and Improvements in Required Yards. Allowable height projections shall comply with LAMC Section 12.21.1B3 (a), and Information Bulletin P/ZC 2002-008. B. Materials/Products Approval: 1. Solar Energy Systems Installed on Top of a Roof: Solar energy panels installed immediately above the roof of any building shall be non-combustible or shall have at least a Class C fire rating classification per UL 790, or class A fire rating per UL 1703. Testing and listing must be done by an approved listing agency. The roof where solar energy panels are installed shall have the code required fire rating classification. Access to the roof shall be provided in accordance with Information Bulletin P/MC 2014-006. 2. Solar Energy Panels used as roofing material: Solar energy panels installed as roofing material of any building shall have the same required fire rating classification as the roof. 3. Solar Energy Systems Installed on Grade: Structural support for ground-mounted panels shall comply with the same zoning and building code requirements of a building. 4. Solar PV systems installed on top of a roof where the space between the solar PV panels and the roof has no use and no potential use are generally considered to be equipment. C. Grading Information: For ground-mounted installations, a grading pre-inspection is required for sites within the Special Grading Area (BOE Basic Grid Map A-13372) and Page 1 of 9
where grading is involved or where the drainage pattern is changed. Plans must indicate location of ground-mounted panels with respect to slopes. See http://zimas.lacity.org/ to find out if the property is located within the Special Grading Area (BOE Basic Grid Map A-13372). D. Building Permits: A building permit is required for the structural support of all solar energy systems. Exception: A building permit is not required when all of the following requirements are met: 1. Solar energy device is roof mounted and does not exceed the existing building height at the highest point, 2. The solar energy device system weight does not exceed four pounds per square foot (4 psf), 3. The solar energy device is installed within 24 of the roof immediately below, 4. The maximum concentrated load imposed by a solar energy device support onto the roof structure is a maximum of 60 pounds (0.18 kn); and 5. For wood construction, the maximum spacing for supports of the solar energy devices shall be 48 on center, and shall be anchored to solid roof rafters or to solid blocking with a minimum of one 5 / 16 diameter lag screw embedded a minimum of 2 1 / 2 or as recommended by the manufacturer, whichever is more stringent. For other types of construction, the support shall be approved by the Department. E. Building Plan Check: Structural support of solar energy devices requiring a building permit shall be submitted to Building Plan Check for approval. 1. Complete plans shall be submitted showing dimensions and location of the supporting structure in relation to the property lines and any adjacent building. 2. Substantiating design calculations are required for supporting member sizes, connection details, and design loads imposed on the roof or other support. 3. Where the solar panel/collector surface inhibits superimposed concentrated loads, the weight of the collector may replace part of the code required live load. Regardless of the weight of the solar panel or collector, a minimum of one half of code required live load shall be used for design. 4. The wind load on the vertical projection of the collector shall be included in the analysis. Page 2 of 9
5. Provide a note on the plan, No guardrails are required for installed solar energy devices pursuant to LAMC 91.1013.5. 6. All roof penetrations shall be sealed using approved methods and products to prevent water leakage. F. Ballasted PV System: PV panels in a ballasted system are typically not attached to the roof and rely on their weight, aerodynamics, and friction to counter the effect of wind and seismic forces. In some cases, ballasted systems have few attachment points to supplement the friction forces. A ballasted solar array system can be used on flat roofs without a positive connection when the following requirements are met: 1. The seismic design of solar ballasted photovoltaic arrays shall fully comply with Report PV1-2012 (www.seaoc.org) from the Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC). The displacement for unattached arrays can be determined by the following methods: 1. Prescriptive design method per Section 7 of Report PV1-2012. 2. Nonlinear response history analysis per Section 9 of Report PV1-2012. 3. Shake table testing per Section 9 of Report PV1-2012. 2. The wind design of solar ballasted Photovoltaic arrays shall fully comply with Report PV2-2012 (www.seaoc.org) from the SEAOC. The wind load design factor for unattached arrays can be determined by the following methods: 1. Prescriptive pressure coefficient GC rn per Section 3 of Report PV2-2012. 2. Wind tunnel tests per Section 5 of Report PV2-2012. 3. A sliding test shall be performed by an LA City approved test agency (http://ladbs.org/ladbsweb/ladbs_forms/materialcontrol/testing_agency.pdf) to determine the dynamic coefficient of friction having the same type of roofing material under critical roof slopes and dry/wet conditions. The tests shall conform to the applicable requirements of ASTM G115. 4. The Engineer of Record shall provide gravity load and lateral load analysis to justify that the addition of the ballasted rooftop solar array systems will not increase the demand on roof framing members by more than 5% and the demand on building lateral force-resisting systems and elements by more than 10% per LABC Sections 3403.3 and 3403.4. Otherwise, the building structural systems shall be upgraded to comply with current code standards. 5. An affidavit of Maintenance of Building for Ballasted Photovoltaic Solar Arrays shall be signed by the building owner and shall be recorded at the County Recorder s Office to agree to maintain the location of arrays, number of ballasts, separation between array and any roof structures, setback from the roof edges, Page 3 of 9
and maintenance of the original roofing material. Any changes from the approved conditions shall be made with all required building and electrical permits. 6. The form, Modification of Building Ordinance, will be required for any of the following cases : (1) to allow the use of friction resistance in lieu of a positive anchorage connection to the roof as required per Section 13.4 of ASCE 7, (2) to allow the use of the prescriptive methodologies in Reports PV1 and PV2 in lieu of the nonlinear time history analysis and wind tunnel test, (3) to waive a peer review for the non-linear time history analysis when the design is based on the results of non-linear time history procedure, and the design forces being used are no less than 50% of the prescriptive method required in PV1, (4) to waive a peer review for the wind tunnel data collection methods, data analysis, array and building modeling when the design is based on the results of wind tunnel test, and the design forces being used are no less than 50% of the prescriptive method required in PV2. G. Building Area and Height Limitations: 1. Solar photovoltaic panels supported by a structure, with no potential use underneath shall not constitute additional story or additional floor area and may exceed the height limit when constructed on a roof top of a building provided the following conditions are met: a. For all occupancies, the highest point of the structure/panel shall meet the lower of the two values below: i. 3' above the allowable building height per this code. ii. 3' above the roof of the building immediately below. b. For installations on flat roofs in other than Group R-3 and R-4 occupancies, the highest point of the structure/panel shall meet the lower of the two values below: i. 10' above the allowable building height per this code. ii. 10' above the roof of the building immediately below. 2. Solar photovoltaic panels supported by a structure over parking stalls shall not constitute additional story or additional floor area and may exceed the height limit as specified in Sections G.1.a and G.1.b above when the following conditions are met (see Figure -1 on page 10): a. The area within the perimeter of the photovoltaic array has maximum rectangular dimension of 40 feet by 150 feet. b. The distance between solar photovoltaic array structures is a minimum 10 feet clear. c. The driveway aisle separating solar photovoltaic array structures has a minimum width of 25 feet clear. Page 4 of 9
d. Solar photovoltaic array structure is used only for parking purposes with no storage. e. Completely open on all sides (other than necessary structural supports) with no interior partitions. H. Construction Classification: Noncombustible structural members supporting solar photovoltaic panels are not required to meet the fire resistance rating for the following: 1. Photovoltaic panel supported by a structure and having no use underneath. Signs may be provided, as determined by the enforcing agency prohibiting any use underneath including storage. 2. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels supported by non-combustible framing that have sufficient uniformly distributed and unobstructed openings throughout the top of the array (horizontal plane) to allow heat and gases to escape, as determined by the enforcing agency. 3. Solar photovoltaic panels supported by a structure over parking stalls where the panels constitute the roof and all the following conditions are met (see Figure -1 on page 10): a. The area within the perimeter of the solar photovoltaic array has maximum rectangular dimension of 40 feet by 150 feet. b. The distance between solar photovoltaic array structures is a minimum of 10 feet clear. c. The driveway aisle separating solar photovoltaic array structures has a minimum width of 25 feet clear. d. Solar photovoltaic array structure is used only for parking purposes with no storage. e. Completely open on all sides (other than necessary structural supports) with no interior partitions. II. ELECTRICAL PLAN CHECK AND PERMIT FOR SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS A. Permits: An Electrical permit is required for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems. B. Product Approval: The solar photovoltaic system shall be tested and listed by a recognized electrical testing laboratory. A list of approved testing agencies is available @ http://ladbs.org/ladbsweb/ladbs_forms/testlab/etl_field_lab.pdf. C. Materials: Electrical wiring shall comply with the applicable provisions of the 2014 Los Angeles Electrical Code (2014 LAEC). Page 5 of 9
D. Electrical Plan Check: Approval from Electrical Plan Check is required for all photovoltaic system installations. Exception: Plan check for installing solar PV systems is not required if all of the conditions listed below are met (permits for these systems will be issued by the Express Permit Counter following the procedure outlined in Section II-F): 1. The installation is in a one or two family dwelling. 2. A maximum of 2 strings are installed per inverter. 3. The total capacity of the photovoltaic system being installed is 10 KW or less. 4. No DC combiner box is installed (other than the box that is part of and is listed with the inverter). 5. No GFCI or AFCI over current devices are installed in the Alternate Current (AC) output of the inverter. 6. Modules shall be roof mounted crystalline or multi-crystalline material. 7. AC Power system shall be 120/240 volts single phase. 8. The minimum service panel size shall meet one of the following: 100 amps for systems with a maximum 20 amperes dedicated AC branch circuit, or 150 amps for systems having a maximum 30 (or two 15) amperes dedicated AC branch circuit(s), or 200 amps for systems having a maximum 40 (or two 20) amperes dedicated AC branch circuit(s). 9. The rating of the service panel shall not exceed 225 amperes. 10. No AC modules, storage batteries, hybrid systems, micro-inverters, building integrated photovoltaic, or photovoltaic roll roofing are installed. Counter Plan Check: Solar installations, up to 14KW, in 1 & 2 family dwellings will be reviewed at the Electrical Plan Check Counter provided a completed LADBS Photovoltaic Standard Plan and related specifications are submitted. Regular Plan Check: Systems that do not qualify for the Express Permit or Counter Plan Check process will be required to be submitted through the regular plan check process. A complete set of plans in accordance with Section 93.0207 of the Los Angeles Electrical Code shall be required at the time of submittal. Page 6 of 9
E. REQUIRED APPROVALS AND CLEARANCES: 1. Fire Department (LAFD) Approval: An approval from LAFD is required for electrical permits pertaining to solar photovoltaic systems. LAFD s installation guidelines are available @ http://www.lafd.org/prevention/pdfforms/solar_pwr_req.pdf. 2. Zoning Clearance(s): Approval from the Zoning counter, by means of a clearance, is required for all Express permits and electrical plan check applications pertaining to solar photovoltaic systems. The Zoning Counter staff shall determine if the site is within a Specific Plan, HPOZ, ICO or CRA area; or if it involves a historical monument and refer customers to the appropriate agency by creating the required clearances, if applicable. Once all the clearances are approved by the appropriate agency, the Zoning Plan Check Counter staff shall approve the zoning clearance in PCIS and direct customers to the Express Permit Counter (for Express permits) or to the Electrical Plan Check counter (for electrical plan check applications) to complete the process. 3. APPROVAL FROM LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER (LADWP): LADBS will not refer plan check or permit applicants to LADWP. It is the responsibility of the applicant/installer to ensure all required approvals from LADWP are obtained. For LADWP s requirements and information regarding Solar PV Systems installation, refer to http://www.ladwp.com/solar. F. Process for Obtaining an Electrical Permit: 1. Permit for Solar PV Systems which do not require an Electrical Plan Check (Express Permits): These permits are issued by the Express Permit Counter. Prior to permit issuance, the Express Permit Counter staff shall refer all permit applications for photovoltaic systems to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) for approval. In addition, the Express Permit Counter staff shall initialize the permit application for photovoltaic system(s); create a clearance summary sheet for Zoning Approval, and direct customers to the Zoning counter to obtain clearance approval. For Express Permits, the applicant is required to complete forms E and E PV (attached). The Express Counter staff shall ensure the completed E PV form is returned to the applicant, along with the issued permit, to present to the field inspector. 2. Photovoltaic Systems requiring Plan Check: Solar PV systems that require electrical plan check will be processed by the Electrical Plan Check Section. Prior to plan approval, the Electrical Plan Check staff shall refer all permit applications for photovoltaic systems to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) for approval. In addition, the staff shall create a clearance summary sheet for Zoning Approval, and direct customers to the Zoning Counter to obtain clearance approval. III. MECHANICAL PLAN CHECK AND PERMIT FOR SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEMS Page 7 of 9
A. Permits: A plumbing permit is required for solar water heating systems. B. Product Approval: Solar water heating systems (pumps, storage tanks, tank liners, heat exchangers, mixing valves, collectors, etc.) shall be tested and listed by a recognized testing agency. A list of approved testing agencies is available @ http://www.ladbs.org/ladbsweb/ladbs_forms/testlab/mtl_testing_agencies.pdf. Tanks for potable water shall be constructed of approved materials similar to those allowed for potable water piping. Tanks shall meet the Plumbing Code, the Uniform Solar Energy Code and NSF 61. Heat exchangers shall meet the requirements of the Plumbing Code and the Uniform Solar Energy Code. C. Mechanical Plan Check: Approval from Mechanical Plan Check is required for installations on water systems that have a 2 or larger supply. D. Zoning Clearance(s): Approval from the Zoning counter, by means of a clearance, is required for all Express permits and mechanical plan check applications pertaining to solar water heating systems. The Zoning Counter staff shall determine if the site is within a Specific Plan, HPOZ, ICO or CRA area; or if it involves a historical monument (i.e. CEQA review) and refer customers to the appropriate agency by creating the required clearances, if applicable. Once all the clearances are approved by the appropriate agency, the Zoning Plan Check Counter staff shall approve the zoning clearance in PCIS and direct customers to the Express Permit Counter (for Express permits) or to the Mechanical Plan Check counter (for plumbing plan check applications) to complete the process. E. Process for Obtaining a Plumbing Permit: 1. Process for Obtaining a Plumbing Permit that does not require Mechanical Plan Check: These permits are issued by the Express Permit Counter. Prior to permit issuance, the Express Permit Counter staff shall initialize the permit application for the solar water heating system, create a clearance summary sheet for Zoning Approval, and direct the customer to LADBS Zoning Counter to obtain clearance approval. 2. Solar water heating systems requiring Mechanical Plan Check: Systems that require mechanical plan check will be processed by the Mechanical Plan Check Section. Prior to plan check approval, the Mechanical Plan Check staff shall initialize the permit application for the solar water heating system, create a clearance summary sheet for Zoning Approval, and direct the customer to LADBS Zoning Counter to obtain clearance approval. Page 8 of 9
25' min. driveway 10' min. 25' min. driveway 40' Max 150' max. Figure 1 Page 9 of 9