Solar (PV) & Electric Vehicle Charging(EVCS) Permits

Roof Mounted Solar PV (RES-PV) systems (10kW AC or less) for single family and duplex homes qualify for streamlined permitting offering the use of standard plans and over the counter approval if all requirements are met.  All applications for residential solar systems (RES-PV) require the following:

Building Permit Application

RES-PV Submittal Requirements

RES-PV Expedite Eligibility Checklist

RES-PV Compliance Checklist (One or Two Familty Dwellings)

• (2) complete sets of 11X17 plans, stapled 

• (2) sets of structural calculations

• (2) sets of manufacturer’s specifications for all components being installed

• Signed contract between the company/homeowner (copy or PDF)

Additionally, if the RES-PV system includes any of the following then the following documents must also be provided:

• Main Panel Upgrade (SDGE Work Order)

• Center fed Main Panel (Electric Load Calculations and a Panel Schedule)

  • Electrical Load Calculation Form

  • Electric Panel Schedule Template - Residential

• Sub-Panel (Electrical Load Calculations)

  • Electrical Load Calculation Form

• Battery Back Up (2 sets of plans, Load Calculations, and a Panel Schedule)

  • Electrical Load Calculation Form

  • Electric Panel Schedule Template - Residential

• Renewable Meter Adapter (RMA) installs must be approved by SDG&E, have a separate General Electrical Contractor, and any and all grounding work not performed by SDG&E including but not limited to the RMA disconnect will be performed by the Solar Contractor.

Ground Mounted, Multi-Family, and Commercial Solar PV systems must be submitted for plan check. 

Submittal requirements can be found in the Solar PV System Submittal Requirements Handout.

Solar PV Plan Review Timeframes

Residential solar permits that meet eligibility checklist requirements are approved over the counter.

All other solar reviews, including non-residential, will have a (2) week review timeframe. 

Resubmittals and revisions will have a target review time of (5-7) business days.

Solar Permit Fees

Residential roof mounted solar permits are no-fee permits, however, any revisions to approved solar plans will be processed with the applicable revision fees associated with the review. 

Solar permits that include Main Panel Upgrades, Battery Back-Up Systems or other additional Electrical Equipment will be charged fees associated with those components. 

Ground mounted solar permits will be charged fees associated with the construction and installation of the racking system.