California / Contra Costa County
Solar Permit in Contra Costa County, California
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before installing a rooftop or ground-mounted photovoltaic system, a solar thermal system, an energy storage system, or a backup generator. Ground-mounted systems also need planning approval.
Issued byContra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Building Inspection Division
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Contra Costa County requires a building permit for solar and lists solar, energy storage systems, and backup generators among the projects that need one. The county offers an optional expedited path, SolarAPP+, for qualifying residential rooftop retrofit systems: the contractor runs the design through the automated NREL SolarAPP+ code check, then applies on the ePermits Center choosing the "SolarAPP+ Approved Permit" type, and the county's own page states "The permit will be auto-issued and emailed to you in a few minutes." SolarAPP+ eligibility is limited to parcels in unincorporated Contra Costa County or the cities of Clayton, Hercules, Lafayette, and Orinda and the Town of Moraga, main dwelling rooftop permitted residential structures only, with no ballasted systems, no mobile home parks, no FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area parcels, no Buchanan Field or Byron Airport safety zone parcels, and no registered historic properties. Projects outside those limits go through standard plan review.
Who is pulling this permit?
Apply yourself
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) license active, and under which business name? Verify it on www.cslb.ca.gov.
California's owner-builder rule (Business & Professions Code 7044(a)-(b); Business & Professions Code 7031.5) sets what you may do on your own home without hiring anyone. Read the statute.
When a permit is usually needed
Before installing a rooftop or ground-mounted photovoltaic system, a solar thermal system, an energy storage system, or a backup generator. Ground-mounted systems also need planning approval.
What a solar permit costs in Contra Costa County
How Contra Costa County compares in California
No California jurisdiction we have verified sets a size threshold for this permit, so what actually differs between them is the fee.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda County | Permit required | ...less than 35 Kva per system (when no plan review is required) $280.00 for... |
| Contra Costa Countythis page | Permit required | ...photovoltaic systems 15 kW or less: Building Permit/inspection $86.00 per... |
| Fresno County | Permit required | See schedule |
| Los Angeles | Permit required | ...per-component fees per the LADBS Electrical Permit Fee Schedule: $6 per... |
| Los Angeles County | Permit required | ...for small residential rooftop photovoltaic systems shall not exceed $500... |
| Orange County | Permit required | Solar Permits, Roof-Mounted (includes County Standard Plan): $428 for FY... |
| Riverside County | Permit required | ...(BEL-RSLRR), described in the schedule as 'Mandated by AB 1132 - $450 UP... |
How to apply in Contra Costa County
In Contra Costa County, a rooftop solar PV permit application is a combined structural and electrical plan set: a site plan and roof framing details proving the array's mounting can carry its added loads, plus a one line electrical diagram covering listed modules and inverters, disconnects, and the rapid shutdown design. Utility interconnection is a separate approval that runs in parallel with the permit.
What most solar permit applications include:
- Both a building permit and a separate electrical permit are required, since the array must be designed and installed to the residential code's solar provisions and to the National Electrical Code (IRC R324.3).
- For Contra Costa County, the plan set identifies listed equipment: PV modules listed to UL 1703 (or both UL 61730-1 and UL 61730-2), and inverters listed to UL 1741, with grid-tied inverters listed for utility interaction (IRC R324.3.1).
- Structural drawings show that the roof framing is designed to structurally support the array and withstand the gravity loads it adds (IRC R324.4.1).
- For Contra Costa County, the site plan lays out roof access pathways at least 36 inches wide, plus a ridge setback sized to how much of the roof the array covers, so firefighters retain pathways and ventilation access (IRC R324.6.1, IRC R324.6.2).
- For Contra Costa County, the one line electrical diagram shows the rapid shutdown method and the location of its single initiation device, since one control point must bring all system conductors down to safe levels (NEC 690.12, NEC 690.56(C)).
- Interconnecting the array to the utility grid at a defined point of connection is a separate application process from the local building or electrical permit and must be approved before the system can operate (NEC 705.12).
- Some permitting offices route applications through SolarAPP+, an automated review platform that checks the plan set against code requirements and issues eligible permits instantly (DOE SolarAPP+).
General submittal guidance from IRC 2021 R324 (Solar Energy Systems) and NEC 2020 Article 690 (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) and Article 705 (Interconnected Power Production Sources). Source. Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Building Inspection Division sets the exact checklist for Contra Costa County.
Where to apply in Contra Costa County:
Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Building Inspection Division
- Application and Permit Center, 30 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553
- Phone: 925-655-2700
- Email: permits@dcd.cccounty.us
Solar Permit in Contra Costa County compared with nearby California localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each California schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contra Costa County | Permit required | Any size | ...mount," photovoltaic systems 15 kW or less: Building Permit/inspection $86.00 per... | |
| Alameda County | Permit required | Any size | ...energy system less than 35 Kva per system (when no plan review is required) $280.00... | |
| Fresno County | Permit required | Any size | See schedule | |
| Los Angeles | Permit required | Any size | ...with itemized per-component fees per the LADBS Electrical Permit Fee Schedule: $6... | |
| Los Angeles County | Permit required | Any size | ...permit fee for small residential rooftop photovoltaic systems shall not exceed $500... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Contra Costa County, inspectors verify the installed array against the approved plans, and some agencies run a rough check of roof attachments and penetrations while they are still exposed before the wiring and roofing close them in. The final inspection confirms rapid shutdown, disconnects, grounding, and required labels are installed correctly, and the system cannot be energized until the utility separately approves interconnection.
- In Contra Costa County: where an agency runs a rough or pre-inspection, it checks the array's roof penetrations while they are still exposed, confirming they are flashed and sealed (IRC R324.4.3).
- In Contra Costa County: the inspector confirms whether rapid shutdown is required, how it is accomplished, and that it is properly identified (NEC 690.12, NEC 690.56(C)).
- In Contra Costa County: pV disconnecting means must be permanently marked and installed where they are readily accessible, which the inspector confirms in the field (NEC 690.13).
- In Contra Costa County: bonding and grounding of the array, including every exposed non current carrying metal part and the grounding electrode system, is checked before sign off (NEC 690.43, NEC 690.47).
- In Contra Costa County: at the service equipment, the inspector looks for the required rapid shutdown placard, a labeled diagram showing the initiation device's location in the specified colors and letter sizes (NEC 690.56(C)).
- In Contra Costa County: utility interconnection is inspected and approved separately from the local building department's sign off, and the system cannot be energized until both approvals are in hand (NEC 705.12).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Contra Costa County permit portal or by phone at 925-655-2700.
Inspection sequence from NEC 2020 Article 690 (690.12 rapid shutdown, 690.13 disconnects, 690.43/690.47 grounding, 690.56 labeling) and IRC 2021 R324.4.3 (roof penetrations). Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Solar Permit checklist for Contra Costa County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before installing a rooftop or ground-mounted photovoltaic system, a solar thermal system, an energy storage system, or a backup generator. Ground-mounted systems also need planning approval.
- Budget the fee. Land Development Fee Schedule item 7, "Residential solar energy systems - roof mount and ground mount," photovoltaic systems 15 kW or less: Building Permit/inspection $86.00 per permit, Plan Check $86.00 per permit, and Electrical Review $100.00 per permit; above 15 kW the same combined charge adds $15.00 per kW above 15 kW. Thermal systems 10 kWth or less are $86.00 each for Building Permit/inspection, Plan Check, and Plumbing Review, plus $15.00 per kWth above 10 kWth. SolarAPP+ separately charges the installer $35.00 for a solar system and $25.00 for an energy storage add-on, on top of county permit fees. Fee schedule adopted May 24, 2022, effective August 10, 2022. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Contra Costa County, a rooftop solar PV permit application is a combined structural and electrical plan set: a site plan and roof framing details proving the array's mounting can carry its added loads, plus a one line electrical diagram covering listed modules and inverters, disconnects, and the rapid shutdown design. Utility interconnection is a separate approval that runs in parallel with the permit. Start at the Contra Costa County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Building Inspection Division. Phone: 925-655-2700. Address: Application and Permit Center, 30 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553.
- Plan for inspections. In Contra Costa County, inspectors verify the installed array against the approved plans, and some agencies run a rough check of roof attachments and penetrations while they are still exposed before the wiring and roofing close them in. The final inspection confirms rapid shutdown, disconnects, grounding, and required labels are installed correctly, and the system cannot be energized until the utility separately approves interconnection.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a solar permit in Contra Costa County?
- Contra Costa County requires a building permit for solar and lists solar, energy storage systems, and backup generators among the projects that need one. The county offers an optional expedited path, SolarAPP+, for qualifying residential rooftop retrofit systems: the contractor runs the design through the automated NREL SolarAPP+ code check, then applies on the ePermits Center choosing the "SolarAPP+ Approved Permit" type, and the county's own page states "The permit will be auto-issued and emailed to you in a few minutes." SolarAPP+ eligibility is limited to parcels in unincorporated Contra Costa County or the cities of Clayton, Hercules, Lafayette, and Orinda and the Town of Moraga, main dwelling rooftop permitted residential structures only, with no ballasted systems, no mobile home parks, no FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area parcels, no Buchanan Field or Byron Airport safety zone parcels, and no registered historic properties. Projects outside those limits go through standard plan review. Always confirm with the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Building Inspection Division before starting.
- How much does a solar permit cost in Contra Costa County?
- Land Development Fee Schedule item 7, "Residential solar energy systems - roof mount and ground mount," photovoltaic systems 15 kW or less: Building Permit/inspection $86.00 per permit, Plan Check $86.00 per permit, and Electrical Review $100.00 per permit; above 15 kW the same combined charge adds $15.00 per kW above 15 kW. Thermal systems 10 kWth or less are $86.00 each for Building Permit/inspection, Plan Check, and Plumbing Review, plus $15.00 per kWth above 10 kWth. SolarAPP+ separately charges the installer $35.00 for a solar system and $25.00 for an energy storage add-on, on top of county permit fees. Fee schedule adopted May 24, 2022, effective August 10, 2022. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- How long does a solar permit take in Contra Costa County?
- SolarAPP+ approved permits are auto-issued and emailed within a few minutes of application. Standard building permit applications get an initial completeness review in 4 to 5 business days before plan review begins. Times can vary by workload and project scope, so confirm with the office.
- Where do you apply for a solar permit in Contra Costa County?
- You can apply through the Contra Costa County permit portal or contact the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Building Inspection Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a solar permit themselves in Contra Costa County?
- Under California law (Business & Professions Code 7044(a)-(b); Business & Professions Code 7031.5): California exempts an owner from contractor licensing under section 7044 when they personally perform all the work on their own property, or any work they do not perform themselves is done by their own employees paid only wages, and none of the improvements are intended or offered for sale. It also exempts an owner who directly contracts with licensed contractors for each trade, as long as no more than four of the single-family residential structures involved are intended or offered for sale in a calendar year; this route does not apply if the owner instead contracts with a general contractor for the construction. A homeowner may also improve their own principal residence without a license, as long as the work is done before any sale, they have actually resided there for the 12 months before completion, and they have not used this exemption on more than two structures more than once in any three-year period. Selling a self-built structure within one year of completion creates a rebuttable presumption that it was built for sale, which defeats the exemption, and selling five or more structures within a year makes that presumption conclusive. Separately, every city or county that requires a permit must also require the applicant to file a signed statement giving their contractor license number or the basis of their claimed exemption; a false or missing statement carries a civil penalty of up to $500. Confirm how Contra Costa County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Contra Costa County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | area of a deck that is also no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, is not attached to a dwelling, and does not serve a code-required exit door | No deck-specific flat fee is published |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Any size | Land Development Fee Schedule S-002 C.6, "Electrical Permit (Other) $75.00 minimum."... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | height of a fence, with concrete and masonry walls treated as walls rather than fences | ..."Fences Greater than 7ft": Building Permit / Inspection, chain-link or wood $116.00... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Any size | Land Development Fee Schedule S-002 D.6, "Mechanical Permit (Other) $75.00 minimum."... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | roof area of a trellis, arbor, or pergola accessory to a residence, treated by the county as a one-story detached accessory structure | ...cover (includes pre-fab types, usually with ICBO research listing)" at $25.73 per... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Any size | Land Development Fee Schedule S-002 E.6, "Plumbing Permit (Other) $75.00 minimum."... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | depth of a prefabricated pool accessory to a one or two family dwelling that is installed entirely above ground and holds no more than 5,000 gallons | The Building Valuation Data Supplement sets a "Swimming pool, lump sum of: $39,514.98"... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...Schedule item 14, "Re-Roofs - Residential": Building Permit / Inspection $150.00... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | floor area of a one-story detached accessory structure | No shed-specific flat fee is published |
Solar Permit in other California localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Contra Costa County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this solar permit page for Contra Costa County was verified. 1 official source: contracosta.ca.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Building Inspection Division. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Solar Permit requirements across California localities