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.
San Jose, CA
Under the California Solar Rights Act (Civil Code §714), HOAs in San Jose cannot prohibit or unreasonably restrict solar panel installations. HOAs may impose...
San Jose, CA
San Jose requires building permits for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations per SJMC Title 17 and California Solar Permitting Guidebook standards. The City ...
See how San Jose's expedited solar permitting rules stack up against other locations.
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