(a)
A county that has not adopted an ordinance providing for the installation of small wind energy systems located outside an urbanized area, but within the county’s jurisdiction, by January 1, 2011, may adopt such an ordinance at a later date, but the ordinance shall be in accordance with Section 65896. Ordinances adopted prior to January 1, 2011, are exempt from this article.
(b)
A county may establish a process for the issuance of conditional use permits for small wind energy systems located outside an urbanized area, subject to all of the following conditions:
(1)
A county shall review an application for a small wind energy system pursuant to the timelines established in the Permit Streamlining Act (Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 65920)).
(2)
Fees charged by a
county to review an application for a small wind energy system shall be determined in accordance with Sections 66014 and 66016.
(3)
An application for the installation of a small wind energy system submitted between January 1, 2011, and the date of the county’s adoption of an ordinance that meets the requirements and conditions of subdivision (b) of Section 65896 shall be approved through a ministerial permit by the county meeting the requirements and conditions of subdivision (b) of Section
65896.