San Clemente, CA Solar Energy: Expedited Solar Permitting (2026)

Section 15.04.080, adopted by Ordinance No. 1601 on August 4, 2015, implements the state's expedited solar permitting mandate locally. It defines a 'small residential rooftop solar energy system' as one no larger than ten kilowatts AC nameplate rating or thirty kilowatts thermal, installed on a single or duplex-family dwelling, that conforms to state fire, structural and electrical codes, meets Electrical Code and Underwriters Laboratories safety standards, and whose panel array does not exceed the City's maximum legal building height. The Community Development Director had to adopt, by September 30, 2015, a nondiscretionary expedited review process built around standard checklists and standard plans that substantially track the state's Solar Permitting Guidebook, and the City must post all required application documents on a public website and accept electronic submittal and signatures.

Applicants must first verify, at their own cost using standard engineering and electrical evaluation techniques, that the roof structure and existing electrical system can safely handle the new system's loads. Once an application is deemed complete, City Building Department staff review it only for compliance with local, state and federal health and safety requirements, and unless the Director requires a discretionary use permit, the City must issue the building permit within a reasonable time. A use permit can only be required if the Director finds, based on substantial evidence, a 'specific, adverse impact' on public health or safety, defined as a significant, quantifiable, direct and unavoidable impact under written, pre-existing standards; that denial or condition is appealable to the Planning Commission, and any mitigation cost is capped at ten percent of system cost, never more than $1,000, or a ten percent efficiency loss. Section 15.04.080 also bars the City from conditioning solar approval on HOA sign-off, and limits expedited-review projects to a single inspection, with a follow-up allowed only if the first one fails.