<div dir="ltr"><div>Unless the project is value engineered and straightforward, we always have an architect/structural engineer draw up plans. It is unfortunate but permitting goes smoother. </div><div><br></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">Aloha,<div>Lou Russo </div><div>Spree Solar Systems LLC </div><div>C-34322</div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Thu, Jun 26, 2025 at 3:42 AM Christopher Warfel via RE-wrenches <<a href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><u></u>
<div>
<p>I have been down this road. I have designed many structures in a
hurricane prone area at the request of the local building
official, using my PE stamp as required. A new building official
who travels to the town once a week decided I could not do that
work anymore. No relief from kicking it up, just more threats
actually. So, I hire a structural engineer now, and have used
that to show that when the renewable energy program engineer
failed me for not using a certified system, that the structural
compliance letter was sufficient. Eventually they agreed.</p>
<p>Chris<br>
</p>
<div>On 6/25/2025 6:59 PM, William Miller
via RE-wrenches wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">Friends:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">I
am having a problem pulling a permit in our county
jurisdiction. The project is a ground mount array with a low
tilt angle resulting in an overall rack height less than
6’. The county checklist for solar permits says:
"Engineering is required for arrays exceeding six feet above
adjacent grade." I wanted to make sure this was the current
criteria so I emailed a senior building official before I
submitted my plans and received a reply stating the same
criteria.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">I
have done jobs in the county in the past with the same low
height and not been required to provide engineering. The
system we use is pretty robust. You can see a description <a href="https://millersolar.com/MillerSolar/practices/DrivenPipe/DrivenPipe.html" target="_blank">here</a>. The rail is SnapNRack
200 series.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">However
for this project I am being denied a permit with this
reason: By not using one of SnapNRack’s suggested support
structures I am “altering” the “racking kit.” I am told if
I provide a structural analysis a permit will be approved.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">The
SnapNRack web site says this on the subject: “The system is
fully compatible with various foundation types, including</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">ground
screws, grade beams, and standard pier concrete
foundations." We all know that the word “including” does
not preclude other possibilities. I even got one of the
SnapNRack engineers to write an email saying alternative
support structures are allowed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">I
have worked up the entire chain of command in San Luis
Obispo County including the department director and the
office of County Counsel with no change in status. I filed
an appeal but the county refused to hear the appeal.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">I
called my county supervisor to intervene but the building
department is giving them the same reason. The logic is
flawed but no one will believe me in spite of the
documentation I have provided.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">Last
time we had one of these taller than 6 feet the we had it
engineered at a cost of $5,000. My contract covers me for
the extra expense so the cost would be to the client. I
don’t believe it is right for the customer to have to pay
this extra expense. They are decent people who deserve
better.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">I
put together a web page to describe the entire interaction.
It is <a href="https://millersolar.com/MillerSolar/case_studies/41_County_of_SLO/County_of_SLO.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">I
think this is wrong and my principals are not allowing me to
give in. This is a pattern with this building department.
The last time this happened I fought for months and finally
won. I embarrassed them and I think the department is
trying to punish me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">I
am looking for an attorney but so far all of them are too
busy to take my case.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">Have
anyone of you experienced anything like this? Anyone have
any advice?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">Thanks
in advance.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif"">William
Miller</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Verdana,"sans-serif""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Miller
Solar</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">17395
Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">805-438-5600</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,"sans-serif""><a href="http://www.millersolar.com/" target="_blank">www.millersolar.com</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">CA
Lic. 773985</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<br>
<fieldset></fieldset>
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<pre cols="72">--
Christopher Warfel, PE
ENTECH Engineering, Inc.
PO Box 871, Block Island, RI 02807
(401) 447-5773</pre>
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