Alhambra, CA Solar Energy: Expedited Solar Permitting (2026)

19 by Ordinance 4676 in 2015 specifically to comply with the state's expedited solar permitting mandate. 5, encouraging solar use by removing unreasonable barriers and minimizing costs to property owners and the city while protecting public health and safety. 020 limits that expedited track to small residential rooftop systems (10 kilowatts AC or 30 kilowatts thermal, on a single or duplex dwelling); systems already permitted before the chapter took effect stay outside it unless a physical modification materially changes the size, type, or components of the system, and routine operation and maintenance never triggers a new permit.

050: an eligible system gets only one inspection, done in a timely manner, and the city may combine the building official's and fire chief's inspections into one visit; if the system fails, a follow-up inspection is allowed without the one-inspection limit applying to it. Once the Building Official confirms the application and its supporting documents satisfy the adopted checklist, the Building Official must administratively approve the application and issue the permits and authorizations, with no City Council or Planning Commission hearing required. That administrative approval covers the building permit only; connecting the system to the electric grid still requires the applicant to obtain the utility's separate approval.