El Cajon, CA Solar Energy: Expedited Solar Permitting (2026)

92, sets the mechanics of the city's expedited solar track. The chapter defines a 'small residential rooftop solar energy system' as one no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or 30 kilowatts thermal, installed on a single or duplex family dwelling, conforming to state fire, structural and electrical codes and to Civil Code Section 714(c)(iii), and not exceeding the maximum legal building height under Title 17. 040 requires the city to post all documents needed for an expedited application on the city website, and to make electronic submittal of the permit application and supporting documents available to every applicant.

An applicant's electronic signature must be accepted on all forms, applications and other documents in place of a wet, physical signature. The Building and Fire Safety Division must also maintain a standard plan and checklist listing every requirement a small residential rooftop solar system, EV charging station or advanced energy storage system has to satisfy to qualify for this expedited path. 050: once an application matches the checklist and standard plan, the city must issue the permit in a timely manner, limit its review to health and safety compliance, and cap inspection of a small residential system at one consolidated building inspection.

020 reaches every small residential rooftop solar system, EV charging station and advanced energy storage system permitted in the city, though systems already legally established before the chapter's effective date are grandfathered unless physically modified in a way that changes size, type or components enough to require new permitting; routine maintenance or like-kind replacement never triggers a new permit.