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Planning and Building

Posted on: August 13, 2021

Solar Ready Provisions

Solar installation at Police Station

This past March, the City of Lafayette approved its first-ever Sustainability Plan highlighting the City's goal of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and increasing its use in renewable energy. To closely align with City-wide goals, Lafayette will adopt new regulations requiring new residential and commercial construction or major renovations to existing buildings to be solar and electric vehicle ready.

The Ordinance will be going to City Council for consideration on September 9 and 23, 2021.

Review the Ordinance for specific details.

Summary of Ordinance

Solar Ready Provisions, Commercial and Residential

  • A section or sections of the building or roof must be reserved for future installation of solar photovoltaic or solar thermal system.
  • Construction document must indicate where the solar-ready zone will be.
  • The main electrical service panel must have a reserved space to allow for the installation of breakers for future solar electric and energy storage systems.

Will this affect my project?

The proposed regulations are only for new construction, additional and major renovations affecting more than 50% of the building area. The regulations are proposed to become effective within three months of enactment by City Council. There are also exemptions for permits in process and requirements for production housing model approve plans, these are highlighted below:

  • Exempt Permits: Permits submitted prior to effective date, as long as they are issued within 180 days of an extension are granted per the building code.
  • Production Housing Model Approved Plans (PHMAP): Any PHMAP approved plans prior to ordinance enactment are valid for one (1) year after effective date and permits can be issued in that timeframe. After one year, the plans need to be resubmitted and reapproved to comply with new code.

Any questions can be emailed to planning@lafayetteco.gov.

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