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Chapter 6›Article 1 — ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

§ 6-19 - (c)

Escondido Zoning Code · 2026-05 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Escondido

  • A solar energy system that is installed on a single- or two-family dwelling.

  • (d) A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the city.

"Solar energy system" means either of the following:

  • (a) Any solar collector or other solar energy device whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating, space cooling, electric generation, or water heating.

  • (b) Any structural design feature of a building, whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation, space heating or cooling, or for water heating.

"Specific, adverse impact" means a significant, quantifiable, direct, unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified, and written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete.

Sec. 6-19.3. Applicability.

  • (a) This chapter applies to the permitting of all small residential rooftop solar energy systems in the city.

  • (b) Small residential rooftop solar energy systems legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section 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 rooftop energy system in such a way as to require new permitting. Routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements shall not require a permit.

Sec. 6-19.4. Solar Energy System Requirements.

  • (a) All solar energy systems shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by the city and the state.

  • (b) Solar energy systems for heating water in single-family residences and for heating water in commercial or swimming pool applications shall be certified by an accredited listing agency as defined by the California Plumbing and Mechanical Code.

  • (c) Solar energy systems for producing electricity shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by the California Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories and, where applicable, rules of the Public Utilities Commission regarding safety and reliability.

Sec. 6-19.5. Applications.

  • (a) All documents required for the submission of an expedited solar energy system application shall be made available on the city website.

  • (b) Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.

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City of Escondido, CA § 6-19

ESCONDIDO CODE

§ 6-19

  • (c) The city's building official shall adopt a standard plan and 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, standard plan(s), and checklist(s) shall substantially conform to recommendations for expedited permitting, including the checklist and standard plans contained in the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook adopted by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research.

Sec. 6-19.6. Permit Review and Inspection Requirements.

  • (a) The city's building official shall implement an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. The building division shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, in an expedited time frame upon receipt of any required fees and a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan. The building official may require an applicant to apply for a conditional use permit if the official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety. Such decisions may be appealed to the planning commission.

  • (b) Review of the application shall be limited to the building official's review of whether the application meets local, state, and federal health and safety requirements.

  • (c) If a conditional use permit is required, the city may deny such application if it makes written findings based upon substantial evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid, as defined, the adverse impact. Such findings shall include the basis for the rejection of the potential feasible alternative for preventing the adverse impact. Such decisions may be appealed to the planning commission.

    • (1) Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost.

    • (2) "A feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact" includes, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition, or mitigation imposed by the city on another similarly situated application in a prior successful application for a permit. The city shall use its best efforts to ensure that the selected method, condition, or mitigation meets the conditions of subsections (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 714 of the Civil Code defining restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or decrease its efficiency or specified performance.

  • (d) If an application is deemed incomplete, a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance shall be sent to the applicant for resubmission.

  • (e) Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the Building Division for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.

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City of Escondido, CA

BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS

§ 6-19

§ 6-21

  • (1) The inspection shall be done in a timely manner and should include consolidated inspections.

  • (2) If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized.

  • (Ord. No. 2008-02R, § 6, 2-6-08; Ord. No. 2015-16, § 1, 8-12-15)

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▸ Contents — Escondido Zoning Code
Escondido Zoning Code
  1. ▸ Chapter 6
    Overview
    1. ▸ Article 1 — ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
      Overview
      1. § 6-1. Purpose.
      2. § 6-2. Application to existing buildings and building service …
      3. § 6-3. Definitions.
      4. § 6-4. Conflicting provisions.
      5. § 6-5. Alternate materials, methods of design and methods of c…
      6. § 6-6. Modifications.
      7. § 6-7. Tests.
      8. § 6-8. Authority.
      9. § 6-9. Powers and duties of the building official.
      10. § 6-10. Unsafe buildings, structures or building equipment.
      11. § 6-11. Building advisory and appeals board.
      12. § 6-11 number to serve as vice-chairperson, who shall preside …
      13. § 6-12. Violations.
      14. § 6-13 enjoinment of any such public nuisance in the manner pr…
      15. § 6-13. Permits.
      16. § 6-13 control device.
      17. § 6-14. Application for permit.
      18. § 6-15. Permits issuance.
      19. § 6-16. Fees.
      20. § 6-17. Inspections.
      21. § 6-17 final approval has been granted by the building official.
      22. § 6-18. Special inspections.
      23. § 6-19. Expedited permit process for small residential rooftop…
      24. § 6-19 - (c)
      25. § 6-20. Connection to utilities.
      26. § 6-21. Certificate of occupancy.
    2. Article 2 — PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS
    3. Article 3 — BUILDING CODE
    4. Article 4 — MECHANICAL CODE
    5. Article 5 — HOUSING CODE
    6. Article 6 — ELECTRICAL CODE
    7. Article 7 — PLUMBING CODE
    8. Article 8 — EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION IN EXISTING BUILDINGS
    9. Article 9 — (RESERVED)
  2. Division 2 — Routing
  3. Division 2 — Weed and Rubbish Abatement Program
  4. Division 1 — Generally
  5. Division 1
  6. Division 2 — Variances and Administrative Adjustments
  7. Division 3 — Nonconforming Uses and Structures
  8. Division 4 — Amendments and Zone Changes
  9. Division 5 — Reasonable Accommodation
  10. Division 6 — Public Hearings, Notices, Fees and Appeals
  11. Division 7 — Enforcement and Penalties
  12. Division 8 — Plot Plans
  13. Division 9 — Zoning Administrator

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