4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Santa Clara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Santa Clara County issues expedited residential solar permits within 3 business days under AB 2188 and AB 1414. Title 24 mandates solar on new homes. PG and E interconnection runs under Rule 21 and NEM 3.0 net billing.
Cal. Gov. Code § 65850.5
(a) The implementation of consistent statewide standards to achieve the timely and cost-effective installation of solar energy systems is not a municipal affair... but is instead a matter of statewide concern. It is the intent of the Legislature that local agencies not adopt ordinances that create unreasonable barriers to the installation of solar energy systems... (b) A city or county shall ad...
Santa Clara County HOAs cannot ban solar under Civil Code 714 and 4753. Aesthetic rules adding over 1000 dollars or losing 10 percent efficiency are void. Complete applications deem approved after 45 days.
Cal. Civil Code § 714
(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...
California AB-2188 and SB-379 require expedited permitting for residential rooftop solar and battery storage. Santa Clara County uses the federal SolarAPP+ platform under Title B for instant online plan-check approval of code-compliant systems.
California SB-43 enables Pacific Gas and Electric customers to subscribe to community solar projects without rooftop panels. Santa Clara County renters and condo owners can join the Green Tariff Shared Renewables and Community Solar Green Tariff programs.
5 cities in Santa Clara County have their own solar energy rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
4 verified rules • Community Solar, Expedited Solar Permitting
2 verified rules • HOA Restrictions, Panel Permits
2 verified rules • HOA Restrictions, Panel Permits
2 verified rules • HOA Restrictions, Panel Permits
2 verified rules • HOA Restrictions, Panel Permits
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