West Sacramento, CA Solar Energy: Expedited Solar Permitting (2026)

The building division shall adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. The building division shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan. However, a building official may require an applicant to apply for a use permit if the official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety. Such decisions may be appealed to the planning commission.

B. Review of the application shall be limited to the building official's review of whether the application meets local, state, and federal health and safety requirements.

C. If a use permit is required, a building official may deny an application for the use permit if the official makes written findings based upon substantive evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid, as defined, the adverse impact. Such findings shall include the basis for the rejection of the potential feasible alternative for preventing the adverse impact. Such decisions may be appealed to the planning commission.

D.