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Solar site surveys · CaliforniaA technician on the roof, in the attic and at the service panel, with the survey read against the code editions, AHJs and utilities that apply in California.
California writes one statewide building code (Title 24), and the 2025 edition, which includes an electrical code based on the 2023 NEC, applies to permit applications filed on or after January 1, 2026. Cities and counties issue the permits. State law requires streamlined review for small rooftop systems, and most larger jurisdictions must offer automated online permitting. A site survey has to capture fire-access pathways, roof structure, wildfire-zone requirements, and which utility serves the address, because the investor-owned utilities and the municipal utilities pay for exported power under different rules.
The capture spec is the same everywhere. What the engineer and the plan reviewer read it against is not.
Much of California, especially the Los Angeles region, has high earthquake risk. Rack attachments and ballasted arrays are designed for seismic as well as wind loads, and LADBS requires SEAOC PV1 seismic methods for unattached ballasted arrays.13,12
In wildland-urban interface areas, CBC Chapter 7A materials rules apply, and CAL FIRE maps Fire Hazard Severity Zones from Moderate to Very High. Where Class A roofing is required, such as Very High zones in Los Angeles, the PV and racking assembly must carry a Class A fire rating.14,15,12
The state Solar Permitting Guidebook treats clay and concrete tile as its own roof category, assuming a heavier roof assembly weight of about 20 psf. Tile roofs therefore need their own structural check and attachment details during the survey.16
The Title 24 Part 6 Energy Code sets cool-roof reflectance rules for new roofs and many reroofs, which vary by climate zone and roof slope. Record the roofing material and condition, since reroofing before a solar install can trigger these rules.17,18
Civil Code 714 limits homeowner associations to reasonable restrictions and a 45-day decision window. The survey should still note HOA placement preferences when they do not reduce output or add much cost.19
Who reviews the plan set, and what the state layers on top.
The CPUC regulates the three large investor-owned utilities (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E), and its net billing tariff applies only to them. Municipal utilities such as LADWP, SMUD, Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank set their own interconnection and export rules.25
PG&E is the investor-owned utility for most of Northern and Central California. Rooftop solar connects under CPUC Electric Rule 21 through PG&E's online interconnection portal.26,27
Interconnection page ↗SCE is the investor-owned utility for much of central, coastal and Southern California, including most Los Angeles-area cities outside the City of LA. It interconnects rooftop solar under Rule 21, and new customers go on the Solar Billing Plan.28,29
Interconnection page ↗SDG&E is the investor-owned utility for San Diego and southern Orange counties. Residential solar and storage connect under Electric Rule 21 through SDG&E's online interconnection portal.30,31
Interconnection page ↗LADWP is the City of Los Angeles's municipal utility and sets its own solar rules outside the CPUC net billing tariff. It runs its own tiered interconnection process: Type 1 covers PV and battery projects up to 30 kW.32,33
Interconnection page ↗SMUD is the Sacramento region's public utility. It has its own online interconnection process and a Solar and Storage Rate that pays a flat per-kWh price for exported energy.34
Interconnection page ↗PWP is Pasadena's municipal utility. Installers apply through PowerClerk, PWP reviews and inspects the system, and PWP installs a bi-directional meter before granting permission to operate.35
Interconnection page ↗GWP is Glendale's municipal utility and still offers net energy metering. Interconnection and NEM applications go through PowerClerk with the plan set attached.36
Interconnection page ↗BWP is Burbank's municipal utility. Installers get a meter spot and confirmation number from BWP before pulling a city permit. Permits filed on or after January 1, 2026 fall under BWP's Solar Net Billing program.37,38
Interconnection page ↗One standard, one visit, the same record in California as everywhere else. What it gets checked against is the code stack above.
Since January 1, 2026, the 2025 California Electrical Code applies, and it is based on the 2023 NEC with state amendments. Projects permitted under the 2022 code followed the 2020 NEC. Some cities publish their own amended local version, so check with the AHJ.1,4
The residential code requires two 36-inch eave-to-ridge pathways on separate roof planes. The ridge setback on each side is 18 inches when the array covers 33% or less of the plan-view roof area and 36 inches above that, and panels cannot sit below an emergency escape opening. Local fire departments may have additional requirements.10,11
Under SB 379, most cities and counties must run an automated online platform, such as SolarAPP+, that issues permits in real time for residential solar up to 38.4 kW, with or without storage. Small cities under 5,000 people and counties under 150,000 are exempt.21,22
For PG&E, SCE and SDG&E customers who applied on or after April 15, 2023, the Net Billing Tariff credits exports at hourly avoided-cost values, which are usually lower than retail rates. Municipal utilities such as LADWP and SMUD are not covered by it and set their own rules.25
Generally no. Civil Code 714 voids HOA rules that effectively prohibit solar and allows only reasonable restrictions that do not add much cost or cut efficiency by more than 10%. HOAs must act within 45 days, or the application is deemed approved.19
Metro pages for California: Los Angeles.
Roof, attic and service panel in one visit
Explore →Roof, structure and switchgear
Explore →Terrain, build and operations
Explore →Roof and electrical, one visit
Explore →Stamped sets, six days from survey
Explore →SA, TOF and TSRF per plane
Explore →Every local fact on this page links to where it came from. Codes, programs and tariffs change: confirm the current requirement with the AHJ and the utility before you design.
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