Assembly Bill (AB) 2188, which amends the California Solar Rights Act, requires that, on or before September 30, 2015, every city or county must adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.  The purpose of the law is to further the State policy of promoting and encouraging the installation and use of solar energy systems by limiting obstacles to their use, and by minimizing the permitting costs of such systems.

On August 25, 2015 the County of Orange Board of Supervisor adopted Ordinance No 15-012 amending Orange County Municipal Code Adding Section 7-1-81 regarding Permitting Procedures For Small  Residential Solar Systems.

Below you will find all available requirements and procedure to help you expedite the permitting of small residential rooftop solar systems:

• Solar Permit Submittal Requirement Bulletin
• Eligibility Checklist for Expedited Solar Photovoltaic Permitting for One and Two Family Dwellings
• Solar Standard Plan with Central Inverter
• Solar Standard Plan with Micro Inverter
• Solar Structural Criteria
• Solar Panel Permit Application and Plans On Line Submittal Procedures
• To fill out the solar panel permit application, please visit our On-Line Applications.

 

SolarAPP+: LICENSED CONTRACTORS CAN NOW SUBMIT THROUGH SolarAPP+

In accordance with SB379, the County of Orange has established an automated, online solar permitting platform through its adoption of SolarAPP+. SolarAPP+ verifies code compliance and issues permits in real time to qualified licensed contractors, for roof-mounted PV systems on existing residential homes.

Automated Solar Plan Review
Before applying for an automated solar plan review and solar permit, projects must follow certain requirements. 

• Solar APP+ is designed to provide a code-compliance check for the majority of residential, roof-mounted, retrofit photovoltaic systems.
• To see which systems are eligible, please refer to the SolarAPP+ Eligibility Checklist. Only projects that conform to this list are eligible to use the automated SolarAPP+ portal for instant permitting.

Using SolarAPP+

Step 1: Eligibility to Use SolarAPP+

• Main dwelling rooftop, permitted, existing residential structures only.
• No ballasted or ground mounted systems.
• To expedite permitting, please review the SolarAPP+ Eligibility Checklist for acceptable projects
• Licensed Contractors Only (must be registered on SolarAPP+)

Step 2: Submit for Automated/Expedited Review in real time through SolarAPP+

• Submit Solar/Photovoltaic design at solarapp.nrel.gov.
• Click Login or Register to get started.
• Have Contractors license information available to complete this step.
• A processing fee will be charged by SolarApp+ NREL.

Step 3:  Apply for Permit

• Apply for a permit online via the MyOCeServices Portal.
• Click Login or Register to get started.
• Click the “Apply For” button and select “Permit Applications”.
• On the permit application page, make the following selections:
  • Step 1 – Private Property Permits
  • Step 2 – Solar Permits
  • Step 3 – SolarAPP+ Roof-mounted Solar
• Click Start Application and follow the application prompts.
  • *IMPORTANT* You must have an APPROVED SolarAPP+ Document as you will need to 
    input the SolarAPP+ approval number to proceed with the County permit.
• After the County permit is submitted, continue to permit issuance:
  • Go to your cart to pay the solar permit fees
  • Go to your permit application to sign for the permit
  • Click here for step-by-step guide on permit issuance.
  • Click here for step-by-step guide on moving fees to your cart.
• Revisions (see Revisions section below).

Step 4:  Schedule Your Inspection

• Log in or set up an account at the MyOCeServices Portal.
• Click the “Apply For” button and select “Inspections”.
• Click “Add Permit” to search for your permit number (e.g. SLR24-XXXX).
• Follow the prompts to complete the inspection scheduling.
  • You must have both the SolarAPP+ approved document and your County documents 
    (Permit and Job Card) on the project site.

SolarAPP+ Revisions

• Submit your revision through SolarAPP+ first (solarapp.nrel.gov).
• You will be provided with a revised SolarAPP+ Approval Document.
• The initial processing fee charged by the SolarAPP+ website covers up to three revisions.
• Navigate to the MyOCeServices Portal.
• Log in to the account associated with your SolarAPP+ permit.
• Navigate to the Dashboard and locate your SolarAPP+ permit (either utilize the search bar or 
  select “Permit Applications” on left hand menu).
• Go to the permit detail page and under the “Revisions” tab you can add a Revision file (upload 
  the revised SolarAPP+ document) and Revision Scope of Work.
• Attachments will then be reviewed and accepted by our staff; revisions are not subject to 
  automated issuance by the County.
• Upon revision approval, an email notice will be sent to the applicant.
• If the scope of the revision makes the project ineligible for use of SolarAPP+, please contact 
  PrivateProperty@ocpw.ocgov.com or (714) 667-8888 to coordinate the revision submittal process.