Solar Permit in San Diego County, California

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a solar permit in San Diego County?

San Diego County requires a building permit to install solar photovoltaic. The county states plainly that solar PV installation is regulated by the Zoning Ordinance and requires approval of a building permit, and it treats these systems as an accessory use to residential, agricultural, civic, commercial or industrial uses. Residential roof-mounted solar PV can be applied for online through Citizen Access, including combination permits that add an electrical service upgrade or an advanced energy storage system. The county publishes an Eligibility Checklist for Expedited Permitting Process (PDS 808) whose solar PV criteria are a system of 10 kW AC CEC rating or less, positively attached to a legal one- or two-family dwelling or accessory structure, not extending more than 5 feet above the highest point of the existing roof, utility interactive and without battery storage. Off-site solar, where the energy goes to a different parcel, is different: under 10 acres it needs an Administrative Permit and over 10 acres a Major Use Permit. This covers unincorporated San Diego County; the 18 incorporated cities, San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside and Escondido among them, run their own building departments. Always confirm with the Planning & Development Services (PDS), Building Services Division before starting.

How much does a solar permit cost in San Diego County?

The county's Getting Started with Solar Photovoltaic page states that "Currently, the cost to plan check/permit a residential solar PV building permit is waived by the County of San Diego," with fees possible if Environmental Health or Public Works must review the plans, which it says is typically only for ground mount. The fee schedule PDS 613 (effective 07/10/2026, FY 25/26) separately lists "Photovoltaic Roof Mount- Online" at a $292.00 permit fee, "Photovoltaic Roof Mount- In Person" at $345.00, "Photovoltaic Ground Mount" at $502.00, and "Residential Wind Turbine" at $671.00, all with no plan review fee. Confirm the current amount with the Building Division before budgeting. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.

How long does a solar permit take in San Diego County?

The county states that residential on-site solar PV building permits "are typically processed over-the-counter (OTC) if all documents have been completed properly and the plans have been prepared correctly," and warns that over-the-counter "does not necessarily mean the permit will be issued the same day, only that it does not have to be submitted for review." Large residential solar PV projects and all commercial solar PV must be submitted for plan check review and cannot be processed over the counter. Times can vary by workload and project scope, so confirm with the office.

Where do you apply for a solar permit in San Diego County?

You can apply through the San Diego County permit portal or contact the Planning & Development Services (PDS), Building Services Division directly. The links are listed on this page.

Can a homeowner pull a solar permit themselves in San Diego County?

Under California law (Business & Professions Code 7044(a)-(b); Business & Professions Code 7031.5): California exempts an owner-builder from contractor licensing when the owner personally performs the work, or uses only wage employees, on their own property and does not intend the improvements for sale. A homeowner may also directly hire licensed trade contractors for up to four single-family residences a year, or improve their own principal residence without a general contractor's license, as long as they have actually lived there for the 12 months before the work is finished. 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 building 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 $500 civil penalty. Confirm how San Diego County applies this before you apply.