California AB-2188 and SB-379 require expedited permitting for residential rooftop solar and battery storage. Santa Clara County uses the federal SolarAPP+ platform under Title B for instant online plan-check approval of code-compliant systems.
California Government Code §65850.5, as amended by AB-2188 and SB-379, requires every California city and county to adopt an expedited, online permitting process for small residential solar and battery-storage systems. Santa Clara County's Department of Planning and Development uses the federal SolarAPP+ platform under Title B (Building) for instant automated plan-check approval of qualifying rooftop photovoltaic and battery systems on one- and two-family dwellings. Inspections are scheduled within seven business days. Eligibility is limited to systems under 38.4 kilowatts DC photovoltaic and 80 kilowatt-hours of battery storage that meet the standard pre-approved configurations. Larger or non-standard systems still go through traditional review with priority queueing required by SB-379.
Installing solar without any permit voids most utility interconnection and rebate eligibility. The County can require removal, retrofit, and re-permitting at the homeowner's cost, and contractors face Contractors State License Board complaints.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto strongly supports residential solar with online SolarAPP+ permitting, Title 24 solar mandate compliance for new homes, and CPAU net energy metering...
Palo Alto, CA
California Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act) prevents Palo Alto HOAs from unreasonably restricting solar installations, with California law strongly favoring...
See how Palo Alto's expedited solar permitting rules stack up against other locations.
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