The Loma Prietan
January/February 2006
Solar Permit Fee Study Generates
Some Heat of Its Own
The solar permit fee study "Solar Permit
Fees in Silicon Valley," conducted by the LP
Chapter Global Warming Committee, has
generated noteworthy media attention and
positive actions by several municipal governments
over the last few weeks. Since the
study was released in early December, the
San Jose Mercury News ran a front-page article
describing the study and pointing out
how high permit fees can discourage individuals
from installing solar panels. Articles covering
the study were also published in the
Gilroy Dispatch, Milpitas Post, and the Santa
Cruz Sentinel. It appears that several municipalities
got the message loud and clear
because over the past two weeks the cities of
Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, and San Mateo
have initiated reviews of their solar permit
fee structure and will likely recommend
reductions more in line with the solar permit
fee study recommendation of $300 or less.
The study found a significant difference in
what cities charge for a permit to install solar
panels on homes, ranging from as low as $50
in Portola Valley to as high as $1,620 in
Millbrae.
Recognizing that we may have a narrow
window of opportunity to affect change on
this issue, we are striking while the iron is
hot. The LP Chapter Global Warming
Committee has sent letters of recognition
thanking those cities that maintain permit
fees at $300 or below, and we are confronting
those cities with high permit fees
that discourage the installation of solar panels.
Committee members recently met with
staff in the cities of Los Gatos and Millbrae
and will be scheduling meetings with
staff/city council members in Cupertino,
Burlingame, Belmont, Daly City, and San
Bruno in the next few weeks.
City governments tend to listen more
intently to the voices of their own citizens.
Consequently, if you are a resident of any of
these cities, we welcome your participation
in meeting with/contacting city council
members. If you would like to get involved
in this effort as a member of a "city contact
team" or in some other capacity (e.g., phoning/
writing council members, letters to the
editor) contact Stan Van Velsor at the LP
Chapter Office (650) 390-8441.