Building Permits

Unified-Residential-SolarPV-Permitting-application-Fillout-3Download

NY State Unified Solar Permit Application (PLEASE DOWNLOAD FOR FULL APPLICATION)

Unified solar permitting is available statewide for eligible solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.  Municipal authorities that adopt the unified permit streamline their process while providing consistent and thorough review of solar PV permitting applications and installations. Upon approval of this application and supporting documentation, the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will issue a building and/or electrical permit for the solar PV installation described herein.

PROJECT ELIGIBILITY FOR UNIFIED PERMITTING PROCESS                                       

By submitting this application, the applicant attests that the proposed project meets the established eligibility criteria for the unified permitting process (subject to verification by the AHJ). The proposed solar PV system installation:

£ Yes      £ No          1.  Has a rated DC capacity of 25 kW or less.

£ Yes      £ No          2. Is not subject to review by an Architectural or Historical Review Board.

£ Yes      £ No          3. Does not need a zoning variance or special use permit.

£ Yes      £ No          4. Is mounted on a permitted roof structure, on a legal accessory structure, or ground mounted on the applicant’s property. If on a legal accessory structure, a diagram showing existing electrical connection to structure is attached.

£ Yes      £ No          5. The Solar Installation Contractor complies with all licensing and other requirements of the jurisdiction and the State.

£ Yes      £ No          6. If the structure is a sloped roof, solar panels are mounted parallel to the roof surface.

For solar PV systems not meeting these eligibility criteria, the applicant is not eligible for the Unified Solar Permit and must submit conventional permit applications. Permit applications may be obtained in person at 210 Main St., Richburg NY during business hours Mon., Wed., Thursday 2:30-6:30 pm.

SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS                                                                      

For projects meeting the eligibility criteria, this application and the following attachments will constitute the Unified Solar Permitting package.

  • This application form, with all fields completed and bearing relevant signatures.
  • Permitting fee of $10.00, payable by cash or check made payable to the Town of Wirt.
  • Required Construction Documents for the solar PV system type being installed, including required attachments.

Completed permit applications should be submitted in person at 210 Main St., Richburg, New York during business hours Mon., Wed., Thursday, 2:30-6:30 pm.  Permit determinations will be issued within five calendar days upon receipt of complete and accurate applications. The municipality will provide feedback within three calendar days of receiving incomplete or inaccurate applications.

Questions about this permitting process may be directed to Roger Moyer, Town of Wirt Code Enforcement Officer, at (716) 912-2001.

PROPERTY OWNER 

PLEASE DOWNLOAD APPLICATION ABOVE AND FILL OUT TO SUBMIT in person or by mail TO THE TOWN OF WIRT CLERK, PO BOX 243, 210 MAIN St., Richburg NY 14774

PERMITS AND APPROVALS REQUIRED                                       

The following permits are required to install a solar PV system with a nameplate DC power output of 25 kW or less:

  1. Unified Solar Permit
  2. A separate electrical Inspection will be required to grant the permit.

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS                                                                                                                

In order to submit a complete permit application for a new solar PV system, the applicant must include:

  1. Completed Standard Permit Application form which includes confirmed eligibility for the Unified Solar Permitting process. This permit application form can be downloaded at TownofWirt.
  2. Construction Documents, with listed attachments [SAMPLES ARE AVAILABLE IN Understanding Solar PV Permitting and Inspecting in New York State AT WEBSITE ADDRESS]. Construction Documents must be by stamped and signed by a New York State Registered Architect or New York State Licensed Professional Engineer.

The Town of Wirt, through adopting the Unified Solar Permitting process, requires contractors to provide construction documents, such as the examples included in the Understanding Solar PV Permitting and Inspecting in New York State document. Should the applicant wish to submit Construction Documents in another format, ensure that the submittal includes the following information:

  • Manufacturer/model number/quantity of solar PV modules and inverter(s).
  • String configuration for solar PV array, clearly indicating the number of modules in series and strings in parallel (if applicable).
  • Combiner boxes: Manufacturer, model number, NEMA rating.
  • From array to the point of interconnection with existing (or new) electrical distribution equipment: identification of all raceways (conduit, boxes, fittings, etc.), conductors and cable assemblies, including size and type of raceways, conductors, and cable assemblies.
  • Sizing and location of the EGC (equipment grounding conductor).
  • Sizing and location of GEC (grounding electrode conductor, if applicable).
  • Disconnecting means of both AC and DC including indication of voltage, ampere, and NEMA rating.
  • Interconnection type/location (supply side or load side connection)
  • For supply side connections only, indication that breaker or disconnect meets or exceeds available utility fault current rating kAIC (amps interrupting capacity in thousands).
  • Ratings of service entrance conductors (size insulation type AL or CU), proposed service disconnect, and overcurrent protection device for new supply side connected solar PV system (reference NEC 230.82, 230.70).
  • Rapid shutdown device location/method and relevant labeling.
  • (For Roof Mounted Systems) A roof plan showing roof layout, solar PV panels and the following fire safety items: approximate location of roof access point, location of code-compliant access pathways, code exemptions,

solar PV system fire classification, and the locations of all required labels and markings.

  • Provide construction drawings with the following information:
    • The type of roof covering and the number of roof coverings installed.
    • Type of roof framing, size of members, and spacing.
    • Weight of panels, support locations, and method of attachment.
    • Framing plan and details for any work necessary to strengthen the existing roof structure.
    • Site-specific structural calculations.
  • Where an approved racking system is used, provide documentation showing manufacturer of the racking system, maximum allowable weight the system can support, attachment method to roof or ground, and product evaluation information or structural design for the rack.

PLAN REVIEW                                                                    

Permit applications can be downloaded, printed and filled out applications should be submitted to the Town Clerk at 210 Main St., Richburg, New York, during business hours M, W, Th 2:30-6:30 pm.  

    INSPECTIONS                                                            

Once all permits to construct the solar PV installation have been issued and the system has been installed, it must be inspected before final approval is granted for the solar PV system. On-site inspections can be scheduled by contacting Roger Moyer, Town of Wirt Code Enforcement Officer, at (716) 912-2001.

Inspection requests received within business hours are typically scheduled for the next business day. If next business day is not available, inspection should happen within a five-day window.

In order to receive final approval, the following inspections are required:

Rough Inspection: During a rough inspection, the applicant must demonstrate that the work in progress complies with relevant codes and standards. The purpose of the rough inspection is to allow the inspector to view aspects of the system that may be concealed once the system is complete, such as:

  • Wiring concealed by new construction.
  • Portions of the system that are contained in trenches or foundations that will be buried upon completion of the system.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify Roger Moyer, Town of Wirt Code Enforcement, at (716) 912-2001, before the components are buried or concealed and to provide safe access (including necessary climbing and fall arrest equipment) to the inspector.

The inspector will attempt, if possible, to accommodate requests for rough inspections in a timely manner.

FINAL INSPECTION: The applicant must contact Roger Moyer, Town of Wirt Code Enforcement Officer, at (716) 912-2001, when ready for a final inspection. During this inspection, the inspector will review the complete installation to ensure compliance with codes and standards, as well as confirming that the installation matches the records included with the permit application. The applicant must have ready, at the time of inspection, the following materials and make them available to the inspector:

  • Copies of as-built drawings and equipment specifications, if different than the materials provided with the application.
  • Photographs of key hard to access equipment, including;
    • Example of array attachment point and flashing/sealing methods used.
    • Opened rooftop enclosures, combiners, and junction boxes.
    • Bonding point with premises grounding electrode system.
    • Supply side connection tap method/device.
    • Module and microinverter/DC optimizer nameplates.
    • Microinverter/DC optimizer attachment.

The Town of Wirt has adopted a standardized inspection checklist, which can be found in the Understanding Solar PV Permitting and Inspecting in New York State document, found here: [WEBSITE ADDRESS].

The inspection checklist provides an overview of common points of inspection that the applicant should be prepared to show compliance. If not available, common checks include the following:

  • Number of solar PV modules and model number match plans and specification sheets number match plans and specification sheets.
  • Array conductors and components are installed in a neat and workman-like manner.
  • Solar PV array is properly grounded.
  • Electrical boxes and connections are suitable for environment.
  • Array is fastened and sealed according to attachment detail.
  • Conductor’s ratings and sizes match plans.
  • Appropriate signs are property constructed, installed and displayed, including the following:
    • Sign identifying PV power source system attributes at DC disconnect.
    • Sign identifying AC point of connection.
    • Rapid shutdown device meets applicable requirements of NEC 690.12.
  • Equipment ratings are consistent with application and installed signs on the installation, including the following:
    • Inverter has a rating as high as max voltage on PV power source sign.
    • DC-side overcurrent circuit protection devices (OCPDs) are DC rated at least as high as max voltage on sign.
    • Inverter is rated for the site AC voltage supplied and shown on the AC point of connection sign.
    • OCPD connected to the AC output of the inverter is rated at least 125% of maximum current on sign and is no larger than the maximum OCPD on the inverter listing label.
    • Sum of the main OCPD and the inverter OCPD is rated for not more than 120% of the buss bar rating.

DEPARTMENTAL CONTACT INFORMATION                                                                  

For additional information regarding this permit process, please contact Roger Moyer, Town of Wirt Code Enforcement Officer, at (716) 912-2001.

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