California's Solar Rights Act and the SolarAPP+ mandate (SB 379) require expedited permit review of small residential solar systems, preempting restrictive local processes.
California broadly preempts local solar permitting barriers. Government Code section 65850.5 (the Solar Rights Act, expanded by AB 2188 in 2014) requires every city and county to adopt an ordinance creating an expedited, streamlined permit review process for small residential rooftop solar systems, with checklists posted online and prohibitions on requiring association approval prior to permit issuance. SB 379 (2022) goes further by requiring cities and counties of certain sizes to implement an automated permitting platform such as SolarAPP+ by specified deadlines. Civil Code section 714 (the Solar Rights Act provisions) voids restrictions in CC&Rs that significantly increase cost or decrease efficiency of solar systems. Cities may impose only health and safety requirements, not aesthetic bans.
Non-streamlined cities can be challenged by applicants. Permit fee caps under Government Code 65850.55 limit solar charges. CC&R restrictions inconsistent with Civil Code 714 are void and unenforceable.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Bishop, CA
Bishop has no ordinance banning backyard composting. Home composting is allowed if kept clean and not a nuisance. California's SB 1383 law also requires resi...
Bishop, CA
Bishop has no ordinance banning or specially permitting artificial turf. Synthetic lawns are allowed and fit the City's water-efficient landscaping goals, th...
Bishop, CA
Bishop actively encourages water-efficient, low-water-use landscaping. Its Water-Efficient Landscapes ordinance (BMC Ch. 13.07) applies to new and rehabilita...
Bishop, CA
Bishop's Municipal Code sets no rainwater-harvesting restriction. Rain barrels and simple cisterns are legal in California, and the state encourages capturin...
Bishop, CA
Bishop draws on the Owens Valley Groundwater Basin and enforces a Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Wasting water is always prohibited (BMC 13.04.050). During...
Bishop, CA
Bishop Municipal Code Chapter 8.08 lets the City Council declare weeds, rubbish, refuse and dirt on any property a public nuisance and abate them. Owners are...
See how Bishop's panel permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.