Pismo Beach, CA Solar Energy: Expedited Solar Permitting (2026)

Section 15.12.010 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 one- or two-family dwelling, conforming to the applicable fire, structural, electrical and other building codes as adopted or amended by the city, with a panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the city.

The building official must establish the expedited process, including standard plans and checklists that set out every requirement a system must meet to qualify. The process must substantially conform to the most current California Solar Permitting Guidebook adopted by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, and the building official can modify the checklists for unique climactic, geological, seismological or topographical conditions. Checklists, standard plans and other permitting documents are posted on the City of Pismo Beach website.

An applicant can file by email, internet or facsimile, pay the permit processing and inspection fees as specified on the city website, and sign electronically. An application is complete when it satisfies the information requirements in the checklists and standard plans. If it is incomplete, the city sends a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies. A complete application is approved administratively by the building official as a nondiscretionary permit within a reasonable time. The building official can require a use permit if, based on substantial evidence, the system could have a specific, adverse impact upon public health and safety, meaning a significant, quantifiable, direct and unavoidable impact based on objective, written standards as they existed when the application was deemed complete. Approval shall not be based or conditioned on the approval of an association defined in section 4080 of the Civil Code, and it does not authorize connection to the local utility grid, which the applicant obtains from the utility.

Only one inspection is required and performed by the building official. A separate fire inspection can be performed if no agreement exists with the local fire code official to perform safety inspections on that official's behalf. If a system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized.