Newport Beach, CA Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Chapter 15.18, Solar Systems, covers small residential rooftop solar energy systems, defined at Section 15.18.030(F) as no larger than ten kilowatts (kW) AC nameplate rating or thirty kW thermal, installed on a single- or duplex-family dwelling, and not exceeding the City's maximum legal building height. Section 15.18.060, Duties of the Building Safety Division and Chief Building Official, requires the City to post every document needed for an expedited solar application on its public website and to accept electronic submittal of the permit application and supporting documents by email, internet or facsimile; an applicant's electronic signature is accepted on all forms in place of a wet signature. The City must adopt a standard plan and checklist that a system needs to meet for expedited review, and that plan and checklist must substantially conform to the California Solar Permitting Guidebook published by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research.

Section 15.18.040 sets the technical bar for issuance: every system must meet the State's health-and-safety standards and the California Fire Code as adopted locally; water-heating solar systems must be certified by an accredited listing agency under the California Plumbing and Mechanical Code; and electricity-producing systems must meet the California Electrical Code and applicable Underwriters Laboratories and Public Utilities Commission standards. Section 15.18.050 separately bars using electrical metallic tubing (EMT) in exposed exterior locations on any of these installations. Permit fees charged for the application must comply with Government Code Sections 65850.55, 66015 and 66016 and Health and Safety Code Section 17951, per Section 15.18.060(F).