Solar Energy in Riverside County, CA (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 7 cities in Riverside County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Riverside County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Panel Permits

Riverside County reviews home and business solar panel installations as administrative, nondiscretionary permits issued by the building and safety director, not discretionary land-use approvals, in every unincorporated zone.

Solar Panel Permits in Riverside County

Some Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 17.296.010

Applications to install solar energy systems shall be administratively reviewed and approved by the director of the department of building and safety as nondiscretionary permits; provided, however, that if the director of the department of building and safety determines in good faith that a solar energy system could have a specific adverse impact on the public health or safety, the applicant sh...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

HOA Restrictions

Homeowner associations in Riverside County cannot prohibit rooftop solar. Under the California Solar Rights Act (Civil Code section 714), any HOA covenant or architectural rule that significantly restricts solar installation or raises cost by more than 1,000 dollars or reduces efficiency by more than 10 percent is void and unenforceable.

HOA Solar Restrictions in Riverside County

Few Restrictions

California Civil Code Section 714 (Solar Rights Act)

(a) Any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in any deed, contract, security instrument, or other instrument affecting the transfer or sale of, or any interest in, real property, and any provision of a governing document, as defined in Section 4150 or 6552, that effectively prohibits or restricts the installation or use of a solar energy system is void and unenforceable. (b) This secti...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Expedited Solar Permitting

Riverside County must administratively approve small rooftop solar systems up to 10 kW AC as nondiscretionary permits, with just one inspection, for homes in the unincorporated county: incorporated cities like Riverside and Temecula run their own separate solar permitting.

Riverside County Expedited Solar Permits

Some Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 15.96.060

Applications for small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall be administratively reviewed and approved by the director as nondiscretionary permits within in a reasonable time following receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the county's approved checklists, standards plans, and payment of all required permit processing and inspection fees.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗