Lancaster Municipal Code Ch. 15.45 Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 1139, § 1, adopted Oct. 28, 2025, amended Ch. 15.45 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Ch. 15.45, §§ 15.45.010—15.45.040, pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from Ord. No. 1094, § 1, adopted Nov. 8, 2022.

The purpose of the Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy System Ordinance, from which this chapter is derived, is to adopt an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process that complies with the Solar Rights Act and AB 2188 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014) to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. This chapter encourages the use of solar systems by removing unreasonable barriers, minimizing costs to property owners and the City, and expanding the ability of property owners to install solar energy systems. This chapter allows the City to achieve these goals while protecting public health and safety.

(Ord. No. 1139, § 1, 10-28-2025)

The following words and phrases, as used in this section, are defined as follows:

"Electronic submittal" means a PDF uploaded through the online permitting portal.

"Small residential rooftop solar energy system" means all of the following:

1. A solar energy system that is no larger than ten (10) kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or thirty (30) kilowatts thermal.

2. A solar energy system that conforms to all applicable state fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the City and paragraph (iii) of subdivision (c) of Section 714 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or re-designated from time to time.

3. A solar energy system that is installed on a single or duplex-family dwelling.

4. A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the authority having jurisdiction.

"Solar energy system" has the same meaning set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 801.5 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or re-designated from time to time.

(Ord. No. 1139, § 1, 10-28-2025)

A. Section 65850.5 of the California Government Code provides that in developing an expedited permitting process, the city, county, or city and county shall adopt a checklist of all requirements with which small rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The building official is hereby authorized and directed to develop and adopt such a checklist.

B. The checklist shall be published on the city's internet website. The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the City's building official by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees.

(Ord. No. 1139, § 1, 10-28-2025)

A. Prior to submitting an application, the applicant shall:

1. Verify to the applicant's reasonable satisfaction through the use of standard engineering evaluation techniques that the support structure for the small residential rooftop solar energy system is stable and adequate to transfer all wind, seismic, and dead and live loads associated with the system to the building foundation; and

2. At the applicant's cost, verify to the applicant's reasonable satisfaction using standard electrical inspection techniques that the existing electrical system, including existing line, load, ground, and bonding wiring as well as main panel and subpanel sizes, are adequately sized, based on the existing electrical system's current use, to carry all new photovoltaic electrical loads.

B. For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, only one (1) inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner. 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 subsection.

C. An application that satisfies the information requirements in the checklist, as determined by the building official, shall be deemed complete. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the building official shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.

D. Upon confirmation by the building official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the small residential rooftop energy system to the local utility provider's electricity grid. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility provider.

(Ord. No. 1139, § 1, 10-28-2025)