Rialto, CA Solar Energy: Expedited Solar Permitting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- RMC Chapter 15.05, adopted 2015
- System size cap
- 10 kW AC / 30 kW thermal, 1-2 family homes
- Review type
- Nondiscretionary administrative approval, no public hearing
- Inspections
- Only one inspection required for eligible systems
- Appeal path
- Denials appealable to city planning commission
Summary
Rialto must approve small residential rooftop solar systems administratively and without discretion under Chapter 15.05 of the Municipal Code, adopted to comply with the state's Solar Rights Act and AB 2188. The building official reviews applications against a published checklist, can require only one inspection, and may only impose a discretionary use permit with documented evidence of a specific, adverse public health or safety impact.
The purpose and intent of the chapter is to provide an expedited streamlined rooftop solar permitting process that complies with the Solar Rights Act and Assembly Bill 2188... in order to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems... The building official shall implement an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar energy systems... The building official may require an applicant to apply for an administrative use permit if the building official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the rooftop solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 39).
Full Breakdown
05, added by Ordinance No. 5 (Assembly Bill 2188) locally. 020 as systems no larger than 10 kilowatts AC (or 30 kilowatts thermal) installed on a single-family or two-family home and no taller than the city's maximum legal building height. Systems permitted before the ordinance took effect are grandfathered unless later physical modifications materially change their size, type or components. 060 requires the building official to run a nondiscretionary administrative review: applications can be submitted electronically, and once the building official confirms the application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the city's solar checklist, the official must administratively approve it and issue the permit.
Review is limited to whether the application satisfies local, state and federal health and safety requirements, nothing more. 020 as a significant, quantifiable, direct and unavoidable impact tied to written, objective standards that existed when the application was deemed complete. If that discretionary review is triggered, any denial must be in writing with supporting findings, any conditions must mitigate the impact at the lowest possible cost, and the applicant can appeal a denial to the planning commission.
Violations & Fines
Installing a small residential rooftop solar system without first obtaining the required administrative permit exposes the installation to Rialto's general unpermitted-structure enforcement under Chapter 15.08, since Section 15.05.030 does not exempt solar systems from the city's normal building permit requirement, only from discretionary review. If the building official wrongly denies expedited approval or imposes conditions beyond what is needed to mitigate a documented adverse impact, Section 15.05.060(C) lets the applicant appeal that decision to the city planning commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rialto require a public hearing to approve my solar permit?
Can the city deny my rooftop solar application?
How many inspections will my solar installation need?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rialto
California rules heatmap·Compare Rialto to another location·View the California solar energy overview
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