California / Los Angeles County
Solar Permit in Los Angeles County, California
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before installing a rooftop photovoltaic, solar water heating, or solar pool heating system. Systems meeting the Chapter 68 criteria go through the expedited path, and a system meeting the online eligibility list can be self-issued as an Express Solar Roof Mount Residential permit through EPIC-LA. Anything failing an eligibility item goes to plan check as a Solar Roof Mount Residential permit.
Issued byLos Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
A permit is always required for solar in unincorporated Los Angeles County; there is no size below which one is waived. What size changes is the processing path. Chapter 68 gives an expedited process for small residential rooftop solar on one- or two-family dwellings, defined as photovoltaic systems no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current or solar thermal systems for service water heating and pool heating no larger than 30 kilowatts thermal. A combined solar energy permit may be issued for photovoltaic systems covering all building and electrical work, with a separate plumbing permit if one is needed. Submittals use the county's standard electrical plan, a roof plan showing fire access pathways and labeling, the expedited structural criteria, and a signed Form A, B, or C affidavit confirming the array will not go on an unpermitted structure. A single combination inspection covers the structural, electrical, and plumbing components.
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 photovoltaic, solar water heating, or solar pool heating system. Systems meeting the Chapter 68 criteria go through the expedited path, and a system meeting the online eligibility list can be self-issued as an Express Solar Roof Mount Residential permit through EPIC-LA. Anything failing an eligibility item goes to plan check as a Solar Roof Mount Residential permit.
What a solar permit costs in Los Angeles County
How Los Angeles 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 County | 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 Countythis page | 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 Los Angeles County
In Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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. Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division sets the exact checklist for Los Angeles County.
Where to apply in Los Angeles County:
Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division
- Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division, 3rd Floor, 900 S. Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803
- Phone: 626-458-3173
Solar Permit in Los Angeles County compared with nearby California localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each California schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | Permit required | Any size | ...permit fee for small residential rooftop photovoltaic systems shall not exceed $500... | |
| Alameda County | Permit required | Any size | ...energy system less than 35 Kva per system (when no plan review is required) $280.00... | |
| Contra Costa County | Permit required | Any size | ...mount," photovoltaic systems 15 kW or less: Building Permit/inspection $86.00 per... | |
| 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... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles County permit portal or by phone at 626-458-3173.
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 Los Angeles County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before installing a rooftop photovoltaic, solar water heating, or solar pool heating system. Systems meeting the Chapter 68 criteria go through the expedited path, and a system meeting the online eligibility list can be self-issued as an Express Solar Roof Mount Residential permit through EPIC-LA. Anything failing an eligibility item goes to plan check as a Solar Roof Mount Residential permit.
- Budget the fee. Chapter 68, Section 6805 of the County of Los Angeles Building Code: 'The combined permit fee for small residential rooftop photovoltaic systems shall not exceed $500 unless modified by or in accordance with Government Code Section 66015 or other applicable law.' The same section charges the underlying fees per Section 107 of the Building Code, Section 82-8 of the Electrical Code, and Sections 103.10 and 103.11 of the Plumbing Code. The county's Plumbing Code Fee Schedule (Title 28, Ord. No. 2013-0050) effective July 1, 2026 separately lists $81.78 for each solar potable water-heating system including water heater and vent, and the $41.35 permit issuance fee applies. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division. Phone: 626-458-3173. Address: Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division, 3rd Floor, 900 S. Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803.
- Plan for inspections. In Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles County?
- A permit is always required for solar in unincorporated Los Angeles County; there is no size below which one is waived. What size changes is the processing path. Chapter 68 gives an expedited process for small residential rooftop solar on one- or two-family dwellings, defined as photovoltaic systems no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current or solar thermal systems for service water heating and pool heating no larger than 30 kilowatts thermal. A combined solar energy permit may be issued for photovoltaic systems covering all building and electrical work, with a separate plumbing permit if one is needed. Submittals use the county's standard electrical plan, a roof plan showing fire access pathways and labeling, the expedited structural criteria, and a signed Form A, B, or C affidavit confirming the array will not go on an unpermitted structure. A single combination inspection covers the structural, electrical, and plumbing components. Always confirm with the Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division before starting.
- How much does a solar permit cost in Los Angeles County?
- Chapter 68, Section 6805 of the County of Los Angeles Building Code: 'The combined permit fee for small residential rooftop photovoltaic systems shall not exceed $500 unless modified by or in accordance with Government Code Section 66015 or other applicable law.' The same section charges the underlying fees per Section 107 of the Building Code, Section 82-8 of the Electrical Code, and Sections 103.10 and 103.11 of the Plumbing Code. The county's Plumbing Code Fee Schedule (Title 28, Ord. No. 2013-0050) effective July 1, 2026 separately lists $81.78 for each solar potable water-heating system including water heater and vent, and the $41.35 permit issuance fee applies. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- How long does a solar permit take in Los Angeles County?
- Plan check review completed within one to three business days on receipt of a complete small residential rooftop solar energy system application. Times can vary by workload and project scope, so confirm with the office.
- Where do you apply for a solar permit in Los Angeles County?
- You can apply through the Los Angeles County permit portal or contact the Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a solar permit themselves in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Los Angeles 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 | height of the deck surface above grade; the exemption also requires the deck not to be over any basement or story below and not to be part of an accessible route | ...grade is priced from the valuation-based Table 1-A Building Permit Fees ($65.36 for... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...the County of Los Angeles Code, Ord No. 2013-0049), effective July 1, 2026: $41.35... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | height of a fence or freestanding block wall measured from the lowest adjacent grade; a masonry or concrete fence must also be set back from a public way at least a distance equal to its height to stay exempt | ...6 feet is priced from the valuation-based Table 1-A Building Permit Fees: $65.36... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...the County of Los Angeles Code, Ord No. 2013-0051), effective July 1, 2026: $41.35... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Before building a patio cover, a carport, an enclosed patio, or any patio work that... | ...enclosure is priced from the valuation-based Table 1-A Building Permit Fees ($65.36... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...28 of the Los Angeles Code, Ord. No. 2013-0050), effective July 1, 2026: $41.35 for... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | depth of a prefabricated pool or other body of water accessory to a one- or two-family (Group R-3) home; the same exemption also reaches pools that do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above adjacent grade | ...is priced from the valuation-based Table 1-A Building Permit Fees plus the $41.35... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Any size | A reroof is priced from the valuation-based Table 1-A Building Permit Fees ($65.36 for a... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | gross floor area of a one-story detached accessory building; the exemption also requires the height not to exceed 12 feet and the maximum roof projection not to exceed 24 inches | ...exemption is priced from the valuation-based Table 1-A Building Permit Fees ($65.36... |
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 Los Angeles County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this solar permit page for Los Angeles County was verified. 2 official sources: dpw.lacounty.gov, dpw.lacounty.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety 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