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

Sec. 020 of the California Energy Code chapter creates a streamlined, nondiscretionary permitting track for a "Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy System," defined as a system no larger than 10 kilowatts AC or 30 kilowatts thermal, installed on a single or duplex dwelling, that meets applicable codes and does not exceed the City's maximum building height. The City's Building Division must post all required application documents and forms online, accept electronic submittal and electronic signatures, and adopt a standard plan and compliance checklist for eligible systems.

Once an application is complete and meets the checklist, the Building Division must issue the permit the same day for over-the-counter applications, or within one to three business days for electronic applications. A building official may instead require a discretionary use permit only if there is substantial evidence of a "specific, adverse impact" on public health or safety that cannot be feasibly mitigated, and any such denial or condition is appealable to the Planning Commission. 55, 66015 and 66016 and Health and Safety Code Section 17951.

Only one inspection is required for eligible systems, and the City must schedule it within two business days of a request, providing a four-hour inspection window; a failed inspection may trigger a follow-up inspection outside the expedited timeline.