PlainPermit

Do I need a permit for solar panels in San Diego, CA?

Short answer: Yes, a permit is required for solar panels in San Diego, CA.

Last verified: · Confidence: high · Status: Verified from official source

Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.
Permit required Confidence: high

Yes. Rooftop solar on a house, duplex or townhouse designed to the IB-301 template gets a self-issued, no-plan-review permit (up to 38.4 kW AC).

What changes the answer

Cost

Fee not extracted; see San Diego Development Services. Unverified, confirm locally

Fee source: https://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/what-permits-do-i-need

Where to apply

City of San Diego Development Services Department (online permits)

Permitting authority: City of San Diego Development Services Department. Applies inside the City of San Diego. Exemptions do not apply to designated historical resources, historic districts, or work that needs a development permit (for example environmentally sensitive lands). See also: how to apply for a building permit.

Official sources

“For single-family, duplex, or townhouse roof installations designed per the template in Information Bulletin (IB) 301, the permit will be self-issued with no-plan review”

Source: https://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/permits/faqs

“The system does not exceed more than 38.4 kW AC maximum output.”

Source: https://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/permits/faqs

Verified: · Status: verified · Confidence: high

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Other projects in San Diego

Solar panels permits elsewhere in California

Solar panels permits in other cities

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