San Bernardino County, CA Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- System size cap
- 10kW AC or 30kW thermal
- Plan review fee
- $215 (15kW or less, roof mount)
- Permit fee
- $226 (15kW or less, roof mount)
- Inspections required
- One inspection per system
- Discretionary permit trigger
- Only for adverse safety impact
Summary
San Bernardino County uses a streamlined, nondiscretionary permit for small residential rooftop solar systems under 10kW AC, though the Building Official can require a discretionary use permit for adverse safety impacts.
(a) Upon confirmation that the application is complete, staff shall review the application to ensure that the small residential rooftop solar energy system meets local, State, and Federal health and safety requirements. The Building Official may require an applicant to apply for a use permit pursuant to the County Development Code, if the Building Official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the small residential rooftop solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety.
Full Breakdown
County Code Chapter 16 solar permitting implements the state Solar Rights Act by requiring staff to issue a building permit for a small residential rooftop solar system, defined as ten kilowatts AC or 30 kilowatts thermal or less on a single or duplex dwelling, within a reasonable time after a complete application, using standard checklists from the state Solar Permitting Guidebook. Only one inspection is required. The Building Official can instead require a discretionary Development Code use permit only if the system has a specific, adverse, quantifiable public-health-or-safety impact. Fees for a 15kW-or-less single-family roof-mount photovoltaic permit run $215 plan review plus $226 permit fee under Code Section 16.0204(k)(1).
Violations & Fines
Installing without the required building permit exposes the homeowner or installer to standard Building Code stop-work and citation enforcement; unresolved adverse-impact findings can force a full discretionary use permit before work proceeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Bernardino County require a permit for rooftop solar panels?
How much does a solar permit cost in San Bernardino County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California solar energy overview
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