Photovoltaic Energy Systems (SOLAR)

Photovoltaic “solar” energy systems require plan check and approval prior to installing.

Please note: Any ground-mounted solar system or roof-mounted system on a structure designated as Historic will need approval by the Planning Division (email: Planning) prior to a building permit being issued. 

The City accepts permit applications in person or online through our web portal. Please ensure you have all the required information available at the time of submittal.

IN-PERSON – Building Counter Submittal 

  1. Complete the application for Building Permit click here.
  2. Submit the application at the Building and Safety counter.
    1. Two (2) sets of plans
    2. Two (2) sets of structural calculations
    3. At the time of submittal, staff will review the submittal documents, and collect payment for the application fee. Please verify the contractor has a current business license at the time of submittal (Business License)
    4. Plan review will be expedited and should take no more than 1-2 days.
  1. Once Plans have been reviewed the applicant will be contacted to pick up corrections or contacted to pay the remaining permit fees, turn in Contractor declarations, and pull the building permit 
    1. The declarations must be filled out and signed by the Licensed Contractor or persons listed in association with the License as shown on the Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB https://www.cslb.ca.gov/).
    2. In the event that the permit is pulled by and signed for by a representative/ employee of the company. The city will request the applicant provide a Notarized Letter of Authorization.

Electronic Submittal 

Licensed Contractors can now submit for Electronic submittal to obtain a solar permit. 

  1. Ensure you have the project information, Contractor information, etc.
  2. Visit the online web submittal portal and click here. 
    1. Click on the icon for “Building Permit Application” 
    2. Fill out the required information. 
    3. Upload your plans, calculations, and product specifications.
    4. Upload your Contractor Declarations.
      1. The declarations must be filled out and signed by the Licensed Contractor or a persons listed in association with the License as shown on the Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB https://www.cslb.ca.gov/)
      2. In the event that the permit is pulled by and signed for by a representative/ employee of the company. The city will request the applicant provide a notarized letter of authorization.
  1. The permit counter will review the information for completeness. - Please allow for 1 - 3 business days for processing although most applications are processed the same business day (or the next business day in the case of after-hour submittals).
    1. The applicant will receive an email requesting any missing information; or
    2. The applicant will receive an email of the approved application with an invoice for the permit fees. a link to pay the fees will be provided within the invoice. 
  2. Once fees have been collected:
    1. The applicant will receive a link to the:
    2.  Job Card
    3. Stamped approved plans, and
    4. Certification & Verification form for Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms - Click Here

      Please print out the Approved documents plans and Job Card for the Job site. The information must be kept on-site at all times during construction.
  3. Call for inspection – Please check the city’s webpage for scheduling an inspection by clicking here.

 REVISIONS TO APPROVED SOLAR 

(In-person or electronic submittal) the process will be the same as listed above. The City will need to know the following information:

  1. The description of work:  in the application description please identify what has changed along with reference of the original permit number (EX: Revision to permit 202#####, layout change, revise from 16 modules to 14 modules, now 5.950 KW/DC)
  2. In-person 
    1. Provide a copy of the original “stamped approved plans”  along with, revised plans and calcs (as applicable), with clouded changes (2 copies if in person). 
  3. Electronic submittals  - Visit the online web submittal portal by clicking here.
    1. Click on the search icon 
    2. Enter your permit number and click search 
    3. Click on your permit number or click view
    4. Select “choose file” then find the file you would like to upload and click “Upload”
      1. NAME THE FILE – “REVISION TO PERMIT #202#####” ; and
      2. Upload a letter detailing page numbers and the changes made between the approved plans and the revised plans, including standard cloud markings on the revised plans.
    1. You will need to enter your contractor code to complete the upload.

Payment of fees will be due at the time of application processing. (Electronic submittals- The permit counter will email an invoice to the applicant with a link for card payment once the application is processed)

NEW: Solar App+TM expedited solar plan review service. 

solar app plus picture

Licensed Contractors can now submit residential roof-mounted photovoltaic designs for systems up to 38.4 KILOWATT AC for automated review through SolarAPP+; and An online application for an auto-issued permit. 

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.

To see which systems are eligible, please refer to the SolarAPP+ Eligibility Checklist by clicking here. 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, residential structures only
  • No ballasted or ground-mounted systems.
  • Please review the SolarAPP+ Eligibility Checklist by clicking here for acceptable projects.
  • Licensed Contractors Only

NOTE: Electric panel upgrades, will require a separate electrical permit please see the electric panel changeout/upgrade requirements (LINK HERE) for more information. 

Structures designated as Historic will need approval by the Planning Division (email: Planning) before a building permit is issued. 

Step 2: Submit for Automated Review Through SolarApp+

  1. Submit Solar/Photovoltaic design at solarapp.nrel.gov.
  2. Click Login or Register to get started.
  3. Have the Contractor's license information available to complete this step.
  4. A processing fee will be charged by SolarApp+ National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Step 3:  Apply for a Permit

  1. Apply for a permit online via the City of Highland the online web submittal portal by clicking here.
  2. Click the SOLARAPP+ (Preapproved) USERS APPLICATION to get started.
  3. Fill out the required information (NOTE: Fill out the description and include the SolarAPP+ Approval Document and input the SolarAPP+ approval number to proceed). 
  4. Provide the SOALRAPP+ Approval number in the description field after the description of the work.
  5. Follow the prompts to make payment online, and print the provided permit documents for the Job site.

Step 4:  Schedule Your Inspection

Call for inspections at the telephone number listed at the bottom of your job card and follow the prompts. For more information about inspections please visit the inspections page here by clicking here.

FOR REVISIONS 

  1. Submit your revision through SolarAPP+ first (solarapp.nrel.gov).
  2. You will be provided with a revised SolarAPP+ Approval Document.
  3. You must log in to the City of Highland the online web submittal portal clicking here.
    1. Click on the search icon 
    2. Enter your permit number and click search
    3. Click on your permit number or click view
    4. Select “choose file” then find the file you would like to upload and click “Upload”
    5. You will need to enter your contractor code to complete the upload.
    6. Ensure you have the proper version at the job site during the final inspection. 

4. The initial processing fee charged by the SolarAPP+ website covers up to three revisions.

5. If the scope of the revision makes the project ineligible for the use of SolarAPP+, please contact the Building & Safety Division to coordinate the revision submittal process.


Additional Resources: