City of Riverhead – Energy Conservation Device Permitting Fees

In 2006 the Town of Riverhead on Long Island enacted a special allowance in its building permit fee structure to provide a discount to people wishing to install energy conservation devices on residential or commercial buildings. The provision in the town code applies to any energy conservation device “installed in or on a structure which qualifies for any federal, state or local tax exemption, tax credit or tax rebate”, but explicitly mentions solar panels as eligible for favorable treatment. The original law authorized a flat permitting fee of $150, which still generally applies, but the law was amended in December 2011 to create a “Fast-Track” process for residential systems that meet certain technical requirements (e.g., maximum roof loading, mounting orientation). The fee for Fast-Track applications is set at $50 and the process also entitles the applicant to expedited review (14 days). Applicants subject to review by the Landmarks Preservation Commission or the Architectural Review Board are not eligible for the Fast-Track process. Prior to the code revision permitting fees for solar panel installations often approached $1,000.