Redlands, CA Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

070 spells out the actual review and inspection mechanics for a small residential rooftop solar permit. The building and safety division had to have an administrative, nondiscretionary review process running by September 30, 2015, and once a complete application meets the approved checklist and standard plan, the division must issue the building permit the same day for an over-the-counter application or within one to three business days for an electronic one. Review is limited to whether the application satisfies local, state, and federal health and safety requirements, plus the fire marshal's review for California Fire Code compliance; the association of a common interest development cannot be made a condition of approval.

The building official can only push an application into the conditional use permit track if there is substantial evidence the system would cause a specific, adverse impact on public health and safety, and any denial at that stage must include written findings on why no feasible mitigation exists; both the CUP referral and a CUP denial can be appealed to the planning commission. An incomplete application triggers a written correction notice listing every deficiency so the applicant can resubmit. On the inspection side, the code requires only one inspection from the building and safety division and the Redlands fire department for systems eligible for expedited review, that inspection must be scheduled within two to three business days of the request, and the city must provide an eight-hour inspection window rather than an all-day wait. A system that fails inspection is entitled to a follow-up inspection.