EXPEDITED BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS FOR SMALL SOLAR RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS

SJ-MC tit. 17, ch. 17.86, pt. 4

in effect

San José Municipal Code § 17.86.400 Applicability.

17.86.400 - Applicability. A. This part applies to the issuance of building permits for small residential rooftop solar energy systems in the city. All requirements of building permit applications in Title 24 for small residential rooftop solar energy systems that are not addressed in this part shall remain in effect. B. Small residential rooftop solar energy systems legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter are not subject to the requirements of this chapter unless physical modifications or alterations are undertaken that materially change the size, type, or components of a small residential rooftop energy system. Routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements for small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall not require a permit. (Ord. 29601.)

San José Municipal Code § 17.86.410 Applications and documents.

17.86.410 - Applications and documents. A. All documents required for the submission of an expedited small residential rooftop solar energy system building permit application shall be made available on the city website. B. Electronic submittal of the required building permit application and documents by email, or the Internet when in operation shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants. C. The building official shall adopt a checklist of all requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. D. The small residential rooftop solar system permit process and checklist shall substantially conform to recommendations for expedited permitting, including the checklist contained in the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook adopted by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. (Ord. 29601.)

San José Municipal Code § 17.86.420 Permit review and inspection requirements.

17.86.420 - Permit review and inspection requirements. A. The building official shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, on the same day for complete in person applications or complete online applications that meet the requirements of the approved checklist and Part 3 of this chapter. B. If an application is deemed incomplete, the building official shall issue a written correction notice to the applicant detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation or payment of fees required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance shall be sent to the applicant for resubmission. C. Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the building official for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review. D. The inspection shall be done in a timely manner and should include consolidated inspections. E. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized, however the subsequent inspection need not conform to the requirements of this section. (Ord. 29601.)

Source: City of San José, Municipal Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/san_jose/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT17BUCO_CH17.86SOENSYREEXBUPEPRSMREROSOENSY_PT4EXBUPEPRSMSOREROSOENSYFetched: 11/1/2026