City Will Continue Energy Efficiency Incentive Program

After minimal discussion, the Agoura Hills City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 11-1645 Wednesday night to continue the city’s energy efficiency incentive program.

The program, enacted in September 2010, offers residents reduced permit fees with respect to the installation of solar panels and energy-efficient, fire-resistant windows. It was set to last for one year and would have expired if the City Council had not re-approved it.

During his report to the council, Amir Hamidzadeh, a building official, said the program has been successful so far. He reported an 80 percent increase in applications for solar panel installations over the previous year–up to 42 permits. He also cited a June 2010 report compiled by the Sierra Club, which provided an index of permit costs for solar installation in the county.

For residential permits, the fees in the county range from gratis up to $1,500; for commercial installations, the rates vary from gratis up to $46,600.

Hamidzadeh said Agoura Hills offers among the lowest rates in the county for solar panel installation permits: $383 for residential permits and $603 for commercial permits. He later explained to Patch that the Sierra Club periodically comes out with similar reports, and each time the report is published, some jurisdictions will subsequently lower their permit fees.

Hamidzadeh also said that, at least to his understanding, permit costs are higher in other areas because the cost of the permit is based upon the total valuation of the project. Because solar panels are so expensive, permit fees for a project that includes solar panels will also be higher, he said.

 “The city doesn’t generate as much funds, but the fact that you’re going more towards green and providing that incentive for your community, that is always a [point of] pride,” said Hamidzadeh.

The program also includes a provision to allow for the city to inspect window replacements for $20 per window.  “The $20 doesn’t even pay for our gas to get out there and back,” said Hamidzadeh. “But we’re providing that incentive so that people who wanted to replace their windows can do it at a cheap rate, and we can make sure that it’s done right.”

Because of the lowered permit costs, Hamidzadeh said his department’s workload has increased, but he thinks it is important work. “I’m proud of our jurisdiction to reduce it to such a low fee. Our workload has increased dramatically, but we’re still hanging in and keeping the fees low,” he said, adding that he thinks all cities should offer similar programs.