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

Chapter 16.30 implements the state Solar Rights Act (Government Code Section 65850.5) to speed small residential rooftop solar installs in Monterey Park (Section 16.30.010). A qualifying system is no larger than 10 kilowatts AC nameplate rating or 30 kilowatts thermal, meets state fire, structural and electrical codes, sits on a single- or duplex-family dwelling, and does not exceed the city's maximum legal building height (Section 16.30.020). The director, meaning the city manager or the community and economic development director by default, must post all application documents online, accept electronic submittal and e-signatures, and adopt a standard plan and checklist that substantially conforms to the state's California Solar Permitting Guidebook (Section 16.30.050).

Under Section 16.30.060, a complete application gets a ministerial building permit within one business day if filed over the counter, or three business days if filed electronically. The director may instead require an administrative use permit only upon written findings, backed by substantial evidence, of a specific, adverse impact on public health or safety, and any denial must identify why no feasible mitigation exists; both the use-permit requirement and a denial are appealable to the planning commission. Only one inspection is required, though a separate fire-safety inspection is allowed, and a failed inspection triggers a follow-up inspection rather than a restart of the whole process. Fees charged for the permit must track Government Code Sections 65850.55, 66015 and 66016 and Health and Safety Code Section 17951.