Hanford, CA Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Chapter 15.56, adopted to implement California's Solar Rights Act and AB 2188 (Ord. 15-08, 2015), governs small residential rooftop solar systems up to 10 kilowatts AC or 30 kilowatts thermal on single- or duplex-family homes. Section 15.56.070(A) requires Hanford's building department to run "an administrative, nondiscretionary review process" and to "issue a permit or other nondiscretionary permit the following business day for over-the-counter applications which are deemed complete, or for electronic applications, within three business days of receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan."

A building official may impose discretionary conditions only on written findings, based on substantial evidence, that the system "could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety," and any such denial or condition can be appealed under Chapter 1.08 of the municipal code (§ 15.56.070(A), (C)). Conditions must mitigate that impact "at the lowest possible cost" (§ 15.56.070(D)), and the city "shall not condition approval of an application on the approval by an association," meaning a homeowners association cannot block or delay the city permit (§ 15.56.070(F)).

Inspection is streamlined too: § 15.56.070(H) allows "only one inspection" for eligible systems, with a separate fire inspection only if the Hanford fire department requires one, and § 15.56.070(I) requires that inspection be scheduled "within two business days of a request" with a "four hour inspection window." The building department must post application checklists and standard plans on the city website and accept electronic signatures and submittals (§ 15.56.060(A)-(D)). Permit fees must follow Government Code §§ 65850.55, 66015, and 66016 and Health and Safety Code § 17951, and the department's checklist must substantially match the state's Solar Permitting Guidebook (§ 15.56.060(E)-(F)).