Mission Viejo, CA Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Sec. 060(a) requires the building division to run an administrative, nondiscretionary review process specifically to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar systems, rather than routing every application through discretionary review. Subsection (b) sets the clock: a complete over-the-counter application that meets the approved checklist and standard plan gets a building permit the same day, and a complete electronic application gets one within one to three business days. Subsection (c) limits the building official's review to whether the application satisfies local, state and federal health and safety requirements, nothing broader.

If the official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the system could create a specific, adverse impact on public health or safety, subsection (b) lets the official require a discretionary use permit instead, and subsection (d) requires any denial of that use permit to rest on written findings in the record, including why no feasible mitigation exists. Subsection (f) requires that any condition on approval be designed to address the adverse impact at the lowest possible cost. Subsection (g) bars the city from conditioning approval on a homeowners association's own sign-off.

On the inspection side, subsection (i) allows only one inspection for systems eligible for expedited review, and subsection (j) requires that inspection to be scheduled within one business day of the applicant's request.