66°

San Diego
Weather

Accessibility Tools

  Turn audio/vision assist on/off
| Contrast: Default / High
|   More Info

Search form

  • Check if your spelling is correct, or try removing filters.
  • Remove quotes around phrases to match each word individually: "blue drop" will match less than blue drop.
  • You can require or exclude terms using + and -: big +blue drop will require a match on blue while big blue -drop will exclude results that contain drop.
Menu

Development Services

Residential Rooftop-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit

  The previous requirement for professional certification is no longer required. Photovoltaic (PV) projects meeting the criteria below do not require a plan review and can be submitted electronically using a Residential Rooftop-Mounted Solar PV Permit. 

 

A Residential Rooftop-Mounted Solar PV Permit is required to install a residential rooftop-mounted solar PV system or solar photovoltaic shingles. PV systems for single-family, duplex or townhouse roof installations designed per the template in Information Bulletin 301 can be submitted through this streamlined process with no plan review with the limits/allowances below.

  1. Not more than 14 kW maximum output.
  2. Located on a sloped roof where the roof height exceeds the height of the PV panels.
  3. Structural review not required (see IB-301, Section II, C, 1).
  4. No work necessitating a Combination Building Permit such as structural modifications to the roof structure, adding a new structure, etc.

  5. Scope can include the following scope of work, in addition to PV installation:

    1.  A panel upgrade of up to 320 amps.
    2. An energy storage system where each unit has a maximum rating of 20 kWh and the total amount of energy storage systems not more than 40 kWh.
    3. An Inverter-integrated electric vehicle charger.

 Please include the information above in the scope of work on the Title Sheet to allow for quicker processing.

Solar panels on a roof
Diagram of a residential solar installation

Plan Your Project

What You Should Know

Fees

Inspection, review and other fees vary based on the project scope. Learn more by reviewing PDF icon Information Bulletin 301 - Solar Photovoltaic Systems.

Exemptions

No exemptions.

Compliant Outdoor Expansion

Apply for a Permit

Step 1

Review the PDF icon User Guide on How to Apply for a PV Permit Online

Step 2

Read the PDF icon requirements for PDF file uploads.

Not following the PDF requirements will delay project review and approval.

Step 3

Review the PDF icon Residential Solar PV Project Plan Template and incorporate all elements outlined within the template into your design. Pro-Cert applicants are required to use this template.

NOTE: The documents must be in PDF format. PDF icon View PDF requirements

Step 4

Download and complete the PDF icon Project Contact Information Form (DS-345)

Step 5

Your PDF documents MUST meet our upload requirements. See Step 2 for more info.

Validate your PDF documents with Scout™

Step 6

Apply for the permit

You will be required to upload the completed PDF documents from Steps 3 and 4.

Additional Resources