Santa Monica, CA Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Review type (existing buildings)
- Ministerial: exempt from ARB if standards met
- PV height allowance
- Up to 5 feet above the district height limit or roof surface
- Solar water/pool heating height allowance
- Up to 7 feet above the height limit or roof surface
- Equipment setback from property line
- Minimum 2 feet
- Historic landmarks
- Certificate of Appropriateness required from Landmarks Commission
Summary
Solar panel installations on existing buildings follow a ministerial (by-right) standard and are exempt from Architectural Review Board approval as long as they meet the code's visibility, height, and setback requirements.
A. This Section establishes ministerial development standards for solar energy systems applicable to all solar energy system installations. Solar energy systems proposed on existing buildings shall be exempt from review and approval by the Architectural Review Board, provided that the installations meet the standards in this Section. Solar energy systems proposed as part of a larger construction project that requires Architectural Review Board approval shall be reviewed by the Architectural Review Board in accordance with the standards in this Section. B. Standards. 1. Visibility. Excluding solar collector panels, their necessary support structure, and conduit, solar energy systems shall not be visible from the public right-of-way adjacent to the front property line. a. Except on single-unit properties, solar collector panels, their necessary support structure(s), and conduit(s), shall be installed in the location that is the least visible from abutting streets directly facing the subject property so long as installation in that location does not significantly decrease the energy performance or significantly increase the costs of the solar energy system as compared to a more visible location.
Full Breakdown
Panels on existing buildings go through ministerial plan-check only with no ARB discretionary review, provided they comply with § 9.21.150 standards. Panels must not be visible from the street-facing right-of-way and must be in the least-visible location unless that would cut annual energy output by more than 10% or raise system cost by more than $1,000 for PV or 10% for solar water heating. On single-unit properties PV may extend up to 5 feet above the district height limit and solar water/pool heating up to 7 feet; the same allowances apply above the roof surface on all other property types. Equipment must be at least 2 feet from any property line. Historic landmarks require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Landmarks Commission.
Violations & Fines
Installations not meeting the ministerial standards require ARB approval before a building permit may issue. Installations on historic properties without a Certificate of Appropriateness are subject to enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need ARB approval to add solar panels to my existing house?
How high above my roof can solar panels extend?
My house is a historic landmark: are there extra steps?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Monica to another location·View the California solar energy overview
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Panel Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle panel permits.