Apple Valley, CA Solar Energy: Expedited Solar Permitting (2026)
Key Facts
- Legal basis
- Solar Rights Act, AB 2188 (2015)
- Adopted by
- Ordinance No. 470, effective 9-30-2015
- Inspections
- One inspection for eligible systems
- Standard followed
- California Solar Permitting Guidebook
- Electronic filing
- Accepted under Gov. Code § 16.5
Summary
Apple Valley adopted an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process under Municipal Code § 8.38.010 to comply with California's Solar Rights Act as amended by Assembly Bill 2188. The chapter caps most residential rooftop systems to a single inspection and requires the Town's checklist and standard plans to substantially conform to the state's California Solar Permitting Guidebook.
The intent of this Chapter is to adopt an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process that complies with the Solar Rights Act, as amended by Assembly Bill 2188 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014) to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. This Chapter will increase the deployment of residential solar distributed generation, provide solar customers greater installation ease, improve the Town and State's ability to reach its clean energy goals, and generate additional employment in the Town and State. The Chapter allows the Town to achieve these goals while protecting public health and safety.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
' Ordinance No. 470 adopted the chapter effective September 30, 2015, the deadline AB 2188 set for California cities. 030(b), which requires the Town's permit process, standard plans and checklists to 'substantially conform to the recommendations for expedited permitting' in the current California Solar Permitting Guidebook published by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. 060 caps the field work to a single inspection for systems eligible for expedited review, done 'in a timely manner'; only a system that fails gets a second inspection, and that follow-up inspection does not have to meet the Chapter's usual timing requirements. 5 in place of a wet signature once the Town's electronic submittal system is in place.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 8.38 does not set its own penalty scale; installing or altering a small residential rooftop solar system outside the expedited permit process is treated as unpermitted construction, subject to the Town's adopted building codes and the Title 1 general penalty provisions, up to a $1,000 misdemeanor fine or a graduated infraction citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Apple Valley have an expedited solar permit chapter?
How many inspections does an expedited solar permit require?
What standard does Apple Valley's solar checklist follow?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Apple Valley
California rules heatmap·Compare Apple Valley to another location·View the California solar energy overview
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Expedited Solar Permitting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle expedited solar permitting.