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

5 (AB 2188), applies to any small residential rooftop solar energy system: no larger than 10 kilowatts AC nameplate rating or 30 kilowatts thermal, installed on a single- or duplex-family dwelling, and not exceeding the maximum legal building height. The building services division must post a standard plan and checklist of "Expedited Application Requirements" on the county website, accept applications by email or internet, and issue the permit the same day for an over-the-counter submittal or within one to three business days for an electronic one once the application is deemed complete.

Only one inspection is required, which may be a consolidated inspection by the building official and the fire chief or their designees; a failed inspection allows a follow-up inspection outside the one-inspection rule. If the application is incomplete, the chief building official must issue a written correction notice detailing every deficiency within five business days of that determination. 5, can be appealed to the CDRA director within 10 calendar days of the decision, whose ruling is final. Systems already permitted before the ordinance took effect are grandfathered unless later alterations change their size, type, or components enough to require new permitting.