Monterey County, CA Solar Energy: Expedited Solar Permitting (2026)

17 (Ord. No. 5258, effective 9-29-2015) to comply with the State Solar Rights Act and AB 2188, creating a streamlined, nondiscretionary process for "small residential rooftop solar energy systems" in the unincorporated county; incorporated cities such as Salinas, Monterey, Seaside, Marina, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove and King City run their own permitting programs and are not covered by this chapter. 030(E), a system must be no larger than 10 kilowatts AC nameplate rating or 30 kilowatts thermal, meet applicable state fire, structural and electrical code standards, sit on the rooftop of a detached single-family dwelling or duplex, and not exceed the zoning district's maximum building height.

050(A)-(B). 050(E), a complete application is reviewed and acted on by the Building Official as a nondiscretionary permit, with review limited to whether the system meets health and safety requirements of local, state and federal law; local standards are confined to those necessary to prevent a "specific, adverse impact" on public health and safety. 050(F) allows the official to require a discretionary use permit instead, a decision appealable to the County Planning Commission. 050(G). 060 caps expedited review at one Building Official inspection, preceded by a separate fire authority inspection; a failed inspection triggers a follow-up inspection outside the expedited timeline. 55, 66015 and 66016 and Health and Safety Code Section 17951.