Gov. Code § 65850.52
Zoning Regulations: Adoption of Regulations

Gov. Code § 65850.52

Solar energy permitting platformTITLE 7. PLANNING AND LAND USE › DIVISION 1. PLANNING AND ZONING › CHAPTER 4. Zoning Regulations › ARTICLE 2. Adoption of Regulations

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Requires most cities and counties to implement an online, automated permitting platform such as SolarAPP+ for residential solar and paired storage systems, on a population-based schedule, with reporting to the Energy Commission.

  • Definitions. Defines “Energy Commission,” “residential energy storage system,” “residential solar energy system,” and “SolarAPP+.” (a)
  • Automated permitting platform. In consultation with the local fire authority, jurisdictions must implement an online, automated platform that verifies code compliance and issues permits in real time to licensed contractors for residential solar systems up to 38.4 kilowatts AC nameplate rating and paired storage, and issues permits for systems SolarAPP+ can process. (b)(1)
  • Ineligible configurations. A jurisdiction need not permit a system through the platform if its configuration is not eligible for SolarAPP+ when the application is submitted. (b)(2)
  • Exemptions and deadlines. Cities under 5,000 and counties under 150,000 (including each city in such a county) are exempt. Non-exempt cities of 50,000 or fewer must comply by September 30, 2024; non-exempt jurisdictions over 50,000 by September 30, 2023. (c)
  • Reporting. Jurisdictions must report compliance to the Energy Commission, and annually report permit numbers and system characteristics under Commission guidelines starting within one year of implementation; the annual requirement becomes inoperative June 30, 2034. (d), (e)(1)
  • Guidelines process. The Energy Commission must post proposed guidelines for at least 30 days of public comment and respond in writing to comments; the Administrative Procedure Act does not apply. (e)(2)–(3)
  • Funding self-certification. Jurisdictions must self-certify compliance when applying for Energy Commission funds after their compliance date, except for the $20,000,000 available for automated solar permitting under Section 76 of Chapter 69 of the Statutes of 2021. (f)
  • Interconnection and liability. The section does not affect utility generator interconnection requirements. Existing liabilities and immunities, including Sections 818.4, 818.6, and 821.2, apply to permits issued and inspections conducted through the platform. (g), (h)
  • Charter cities. “City” includes a charter city. (i)

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§ 65850.529 subdivisions

Source. California Code text from the Legislature's bulk download (the same data as leginfo), reproduced character for character (spacing normalized). Current page on leginfo ↗

History. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 131, Sec. 95. (AB 1754) Effective January 1, 2024.)

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Statute text comes from the California Legislative Information page saved for this section; spacing and line breaks are normalized and every other character is reproduced as published. Check leginfo for any amendment made after the page was saved. Not legal advice.