Solar Equipment Application Form

Updated 14MAY23

NOTE: Please refer to Rules & Regulations - Part 2: Architectural Procedures and Standards for complete information about architectural approval requirements, architectural and landscaping guidelines and standards, and the approval process.

Solar and Energy Storage Equipment Regulations

Changing or installing new solar and/or energy (battery) storage equipment including systems for solar water heating or solar electrical power requires ACC approval. Submit:

• This application form.

• Two sets of professionally prepared construction plans/drawings showing location, description and size of all electrical boxes/panels, solar panels and other equipment, including visible wiring, piping, attachments, flashing, pumps, hardware, etc. The plans must clearly show where all exterior equipment (including the equipment itself and all related electrical boxes/panels, battery enclosures, wiring, conduits, gas/water pipes, etc.) will be installed. The plans must include overhead as well as side elevation diagrams. For solar equipment, the side view diagram must show the position of all electrical equipment and conduit mounted to the Dwelling Structure. The side view diagram must also include horizonal dimensions from the front corner of the Dwelling Structure, from the gate and from the existing electric meter/circuit breaker panel, as well as vertical dimensions from the ground level for conduit runs and each individual piece of equipment. Refer to section 2.4 Plans and Drawings in Rules & Regulations - Part 2: Architectural Procedures and Standards for more details on plan requirements.

•  Brochure, photo or other information describing the style, color and materials of all equipment.

City building permits are required for all electrical work and solar panel installations. Additional information can be found at https://www.cityofirvine.org/work/codes-licenses-permits and from your contractor. The company doing the work should be given a copy of this form so that the design and installation conforms to these standards.

Solar panels must be mounted directly on the roof with standoffs not to exceed six (6) inches and should be located, if possible, so they are least visible from the Common Area. Angled panels where one edge of the panel is higher than six (6) inches above the roof surface and panels facing the front of the Dwelling Structure are not permitted.

If the roofing material under the solar panels will be different (e.g., asphalt/composition material) from the rest of the roof, the existing roofing tiles must extend a few inches under the panels so that the material under the solar panels will not be visible from the Common Area.

Ideally, all visible components, such as control/electrical boxes/panels (other than emergency shutoff), battery equipment, etc. shall be mounted inside the garage, mostly likely on the interior garage wall behind the electric meter. Where necessary, conduit can be run from the electric meter/circuit breaker panel to the location inside the garage. This will provide optimal protection of the equipment from the elements.

Any such equipment that cannot be placed inside the garage due to ventilation, code restrictions, existing storage/shelving/cabinets, etc. should be mounted behind the gate on the side where the electric meter/circuit breaker panel is located. Using a behind-the-gate location will provide maximum security for your equipment and should be placed to account for the gate when in an open position. To facilitate placement of equipment behind the gate, see the installation notes below.

If equipment mounting behind the gate is not feasible, then the equipment may be placed in front of the gate positioned in a way that minimizes visibility (e.g., larger boxes should be positioned farther back from the corner of the Dwelling Structure).

In all installations (in garage, behind the gate or in front of the gate), an emergency shut-off switch box may be placed adjacent to the electrical meter/circuit breaker panel on the side closest to the side gate. Additionally, all equipment and electrical wiring (other than required warning labels) visible from the Common Area must be painted to match the surface to which it is attached and may not go up and/or over windows and/or doors and/or gates.

If you are considering installing an electric vehicle charging station, please refer to section 3.25 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations  in Rules & Regulations - Part 2: Architectural Procedures and Standards and complete the Electrical/Mechanical/Plumbing Equipment Application Form.

Behind-the-Gate Installation Notes

For Essence and Encore floorplans, conduit may be run UP from the main breaker box, along the bottom of the lower eve (where it won’t be readily visible) and then back DOWN to the equipment mounted behind the side gate. This avoids any interference with the gate.

For other floorplans, conduit should be run DOWN from the main breaker, trenched under the gate, and then back UP to the equipment mounded behind the gate. As an alternative to trenching, the gate may be temporarily removed, and a notch cut into the gate frame for the conduit to pass through. Conduit should be run DOWN from the main breaker to about a foot or two above ground then along the wall through the notched gate frame, and then back UP to the equipment mounted behind the reattached gate.

Application

While this page is on your screen, you can type into the fields, select checkboxes and radio buttons. Then print the pages for neighbor review and to be mailed and logged by Optimum Property Management who will then send the information for review by the Architectural Review Committee. Please include any other required information. 

Name:  
Property Address:

All equipment, wiring, conduit, pipes, etc. attached to the Dwelling Structure must be painted to match the surface it is mounted to.

See above for plan requirements and submit along with this application.

When obtaining Neighbor Awareness signatures, you should allow them to review the plans or drawings prior to signature. Neighbor comments and signatures indicate that they have been notified and do not imply approval, which can only be granted by the Architectural Control Committee (ACC).

Homeowners/contractors may have to provide a separate set of plans to the City of Irvine for building approval, permits and inspections. In addition to the plans, the Homeowner should include manufacturer's brochures or samples of the equipment.

Proposed Improvement. Please be as specific as possible.  Use a separate sheet of paper, if needed.

Start Date:     Completion Date:

Will you require a dumpster? Yes   No

NOTE: Dumpsters may only be placed in the driveway (preferred) or street immediately in front of the home where the work is being performed. To prevent damage to driveway or street, please request that wood boards be placed below wheels and other supports. If placed in the street, dumpsters must have reflectors or reflective tape to minimize night driving accidents. Closed storage containers must remain locked when not in use. Dumpsters must be removed within thirty (30) days of being delivered unless a written extension request is submitted to and approved by the property management company. Any damage to streets or other Common Area property as the result of your improvement will be repaired by the Association and charged to the homeowner.

Dumpster Delivery Date:      Dumpster Removal Date:

Will you require a porta-potty? Yes   No

NOTE: Portable sanitation facilities (portable toilets or "porta-potties") are generally discouraged as long as the Homeowner can make suitable arrangements with the contractor and workers. If the nature of the Improvement and situation dictates that a portable sanitation facility will be required, this fact and its proposed location should be noted on the appropriate Home Improvement Application. The portable sanitation facility should be located out of view from the Common Area if reasonable and practical. Otherwise, it must be placed in the driveway or other portion of the homeowner's property (preferred) or street immediately in front of the home where the work is being performed. Prior permission is required from the property management company if the portable sanitation facility is required to be placed on the street. The portable sanitation facility must be serviced for waste removal no less than two times per week and must remain locked when not in use. The portable sanitation facility must be removed within seven (7) days of the Improvement completion date.

Will existing roofing material be removed and different material installed under the solar panels?   Yes   No  Not Applicable 

NOTE: If the area under the solar panels will be different (e.g., asphalt/composition material) from the rest of the roof, the existing tiles must be placed around the perimeter of the panels so the material under the solar panels will not be visible from the Common Area.

Have permits been submitted? Yes   No    
Have the permits been approved?  Yes   No  

Submitter's Signature: _______________________________  Date: _________________

Neighbor Advisement (Adjacent Neighbors)

You must obtain the signatures of adjacent neighbors (owners, not tenants) showing that they have been made aware of the intended improvement. Neighbor comments and signatures indicate that they have been notified and do not imply approval, which can only be granted by the Architectural Control Committee (ACC). However, ACC may contact neighbors to evaluate their comments.

1st Neighbor (to the left of your home)

Name:      Address:

Comments:

Signature: _______________________________  Date: _________________

2nd Neighbor (to the right of your home)

Name:      Address:

Comments:

Signature: _______________________________  Date: _________________

3rd Neighbor (directly across the street or behind your home depending on who will see the changes)

Name:      Address:

Comments:

Signature: _______________________________  Date: _________________

At the current time, this form cannot be submitted electronically. Fill out the form online then use your browser's Print button to print this form. Complete and return this form along with any necessary plans to the Community Manager (do not submit it to an Architectural Committee member). Your submission will be logged and filed then distributed to the Architectural Control Committee for approval. When a decision has been rendered, the Managing Agent will send you a letter with the final decision within 30 days of original receipt of your application.

To be completed by Architectural Control Committee

Authorized to Proceed     Conditional Approval (see below)     Disapproved (see below) by the required majority of the Canyon Creek Architectural Control Committee.

Conditions of approval or reason for disapproval. Any variance to published architectural standards must be approved by the Board of Directors.

Authorized to Proceed     Conditional Approval     Disapproved

Signature: _________________________________      Date: ______________
                  Architectural Committee

Authorized to Proceed     Conditional Approval     Disapproved

Signature: _________________________________      Date: ______________
                  Architectural Committee

Authorized to Proceed     Conditional Approval     Disapproved

Signature: _________________________________      Date: ______________
                  Architectural Committee

Homeowner Agrees to Changes for Conditional Approval

If the Architectural Committee has indicated "Conditional Approval," I agree to implement the changes noted above.

Signature: _________________________________      Date: ______________
                  Homeowner

Notice of Completion

The ACC will complete and submit a Notice of Completion  within sixty (60) days of completing the Improvement.

Forms may be filled in online, but must be printed, mailed and logged by Optimum Property Management before they can be reviewed by the Architectural Control Committee. Do not send directly to the Architectural Control Committee.