At a glance

Yes, you need a permit. Your solar contractor normally applies for it, and it has to be a licensed contractor: the state licensing law's small-job exemption doesn't apply to work that needs a building permit. The permit is meant to be routine: cities and counties can only check health and safety, can't charge more than $450 for a typical home system without a written finding, and in most places must let a licensed contractor get the permit online in real time.

What the law requires

Gov. Code 65850.5(b)

A building permit, not a hearing

Cities and counties must approve home solar administratively, through a building permit or similar permit, with review limited to whether it meets health and safety requirements.

They can require a use permit only after finding, based on substantial evidence, a specific adverse impact on public health or safety.

Gov. Code 65850.5(g)

An expedited, streamlined process

Every city and county had to adopt an ordinance by September 30, 2015, with a published checklist. An application that meets the checklist is complete, and the permit must be issued.

They must accept electronic applications and electronic signatures, or say in the ordinance why they can't.

Gov. Code 65850.5(h)

One inspection for small systems

A small residential rooftop system, up to 10 kW AC on a single-family home or duplex, gets only one inspection, which can be combined.

A separate fire inspection is allowed where the city has no agreement for the fire authority.

Gov. Code 65850.52

Instant online permits

Non-exempt cities and counties must run an online, automated platform, such as SolarAPP+, that issues permits in real time to a licensed contractor for home solar up to 38.4 kW AC, and for batteries paired with it.

Cities under 5,000 people and counties under 150,000, with their cities, are exempt.

Gov. Code 66015

A fee cap

All the permit charges for solar on a single- or two-family home can't exceed $450 plus $15 per kW above 15 kW, unless the city or county adopts a written finding of higher costs.

The cap is in effect until January 1, 2034.

Gov. Code 65850.5(i)

No HOA sign-off required for the permit

A city or county can't make a solar permit depend on approval from a homeowners association.

HOA rules are a separate matter: see HOA solar rules.

The law also says local governments shouldn't create unreasonable barriers to solar, "including, but not limited to, design review for aesthetic purposes." If a building official does deny or condition a permit, the decision can be appealed to the planning commission.

Permit fees

Most home systems are well under 15 kW, so $450 is the ceiling for nearly everyone: homeowner-owned systems approved in 2026 had a median of about 4.3 kW without a battery and 7.5 kW with one (see solar panel cost). The cap covers all charges the city or county levies for the application, not just one line item.

Instant online permits (SB 379)

A 2022 law, SB 379, requires cities and counties above the size limits to issue home solar permits through an online, automated platform. SolarAPP+, built by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, checks the design against code and issues the permit in real time. Larger jurisdictions had until September 30, 2023; smaller cities until September 30, 2024.

As of October 20, 2026, 379 of the 458 cities and counties covered by the law reported a platform to the Energy Commission: 276 with SolarAPP+, 63 with Symbium and 40 with their own system. 79 reported none, most of them smaller cities. A state grant program, CalAPP, awarded $18.9 million to 345 jurisdictions to set these up. The law doesn't change your utility's separate interconnection approval.

An open laptop with a blank screen on a kitchen table beside a notebook and a pen, morning light from the window

How the permit fits into going solar

  1. ContractYou sign with a licensed contractor. Check the license first.
  2. PermitThe contractor applies to your city or county, online and instantly where a platform covers your system.
  3. InstallThe system goes on the roof under the permit.
  4. InspectionOne inspection for small rooftop systems, plus a fire inspection in some places.
  5. Utility approvalYour utility's interconnection approval is a separate step the permit laws don't change.
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Common questions

Do I need a permit for solar panels in California?

Yes. Rooftop solar needs a building permit from your city or county, and the work must be done by a licensed contractor. State law limits the review to health and safety requirements.

How much is a solar permit in California?

Government Code 66015 caps all permit charges for solar on a single- or two-family home at $450, plus $15 per kW above 15 kW, unless the city or county adopts a written finding showing higher reasonable costs.

What is SolarAPP+?

A web portal built by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that checks a home solar design against code and issues a permit in real time. Under SB 379, non-exempt California cities and counties must use it or a similar automated platform.

Does my city have to use SolarAPP+?

Cities of 5,000 or more people and counties of 150,000 or more must have an online, automated platform. As of October 20, 2026, 379 of 458 covered jurisdictions reported one to the Energy Commission.

Can my HOA stop my solar permit?

Not the permit itself: a city or county can't make a solar permit depend on HOA approval. HOA rules are separate and limited by California's Solar Rights Act.

Platform status is what each city or county reported to the Energy Commission; the CEC doesn't certify it. Local checklists and fees vary within the state limits. Sources: Government Code 65850.5 · Government Code 65850.52 (SB 379) · Government Code 66015 · CEC: Residential Solar Permitting dashboard · CEC: CalAPP grant program. Reviewed October 2026.

Next guidePaying for solar in California →