California Government Code §65850.5 (SB-379 and AB-2188) requires San Jose to expedite small residential solar permits with checklist-only review. The city accepts NREL's SolarAPP+ portal for instant automated approval of qualifying rooftop PV and battery installations, often issuing permits the same day.
California's Solar Rights Act and Government Code §65850.5 (SB-379/AB-2188) require every California city, including San Jose, to adopt an expedited permitting process for residential solar systems 10 kW or smaller, using a uniform checklist and limiting review to non-discretionary administrative checks. San Jose participates in the U.S. Department of Energy's SolarAPP+ (Solar Automated Permit Processing) program operated by NREL. Eligible photovoltaic and battery storage projects are reviewed automatically online, and permits typically issue the same day. Inspections are required before energization. Larger or non-standard systems (ground-mounted, large commercial, complex roof structures) follow standard plan-check at the Permit Center.
Installing solar without a permit violates SJMC Title 24 with stop-work orders, double permit fees, and removal orders if uncorrected. PG&E will not interconnect a system lacking final inspection sign-off, so unpermitted systems cannot legally export to the grid.
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