Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 18.77 Streamlined Permitting Process for Solar Energy Systems and Energy…

A. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to promote and encourage the installation and use of solar energy systems and energy storage systems by limiting obstacles to their use and minimizing the permitting costs of such system. Consistent with Sections 65850.5, 65850.52, 65850.55, 65850.8, and 66015 of the California Government Code, this chapter creates an expedited permitting process for solar energy systems and energy storage systems.

B. Permits required. Solar energy systems and energy storage systems shall not be installed or used without first having obtained a permit as required by Section 18.04.010.

C. Submittal documents. Submittal documents shall be governed by Chapter 18.05, except as provided in Section 18.77.030.

D. Fee. Fees for solar energy systems and energy storage systems shall be governed by Subsections 18.06.010.A or 18.06.020.A in accordance with Sections 65850.55 and 66015 of the California Government Code.

E. Inspection. Inspections shall be governed by Chapter 18.07, except as provided in Section 18.77.040.

F. Effective date. This chapter shall apply to projects for the installation and use of solar energy systems submitted on or after September 30, 2015, and energy storage systems submitted on or after September 30, 2023.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019)

Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall for the purpose of this chapter have the meanings shown in this section. Where the words or terms are not defined in this section, Chapter 18.02 shall apply.

"Electronic submittal'' means the utilization of one or more of the following:

1. E-mail;

2. Internet; or

3. Facsimile.

"Energy storage system" or "ESS" has the same meaning as set forth in the California Residential Code, California Electrical Code, and California Fire Code as adopted in Chapters 18.41, 18.42, and 18.48.

"Residential energy storage system" has the same meaning as set forth in Paragraph (2) of Subdivision (a) of Section 65850.52 of the California Government Code.

"Residential solar energy system" has the same meaning as set forth in Paragraph (3) of Subdivision (a) of Section 65850.52 of the California Government Code.

"Solar energy system" has the same meaning as set forth in the California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Electrical Code, and California Fire Code as adopted in Chapters 18.40, 18.41, 18.42, and 18.48.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019)

A. Application for permit. An application for a permit shall be governed by Section 18.04.030.

B. Submittal. Application for a permit and supporting documents may be submitted to the Building Official in person, by mail, or by electronic submittal together with all required fees.

C. Electronic signature. The Building Official is authorized to accept an electronic signature on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature by an applicant.

D. Action on application. An application for a permit and supporting documents that satisfies the information requirements in the checklist and standard plan, as determined by the Building Official, shall be deemed complete.

Upon confirmation by the Building Official of the application for a permit and supporting documents being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist and standard plan, and consistent with this chapter, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application for a permit and support documents and issue the required permit.

Upon receipt of an incomplete application for a permit or supporting documents, the Building Official shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application for a permit or supporting documents and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permitting in this chapter.

E. Validity of permit. The validity of permit shall be governed by Section 18.04.050. Such permit does not authorize an applicant to connect the solar energy system or energy storage 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-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019)

A. Number of inspections. Notwithstanding Chapter 18.07 to the contrary, solar energy systems eligible for expedited permitting in this chapter shall only be required to have one inspection by the Building Official and/or Fire Code Official. If the solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection by the Building Official and/or Fire Code Official is authorized and shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 18.07.

B. Consolidated inspection. A consolidated inspection by the Building Official and Fire Code Official may be performed at their discretion.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019)

A. Checklist and standard plan. The Building Official is hereby authorized and directed to develop and adopt a checklist and standard plan of all requirements with which solar energy systems or energy storage system shall comply to be eligible for expedited permitting in this chapter. The checklist and standard plan shall substantially conform, as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Building Official, to the checklists and standard plans contained in the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook as adopted by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research ("Guidebook") or other available resources developed by state agency or department, where appropriate. The Building Official is authorized to modify the checklist and standard plan found in the Guidebook or other available resources due to unique climactic, geological, seismological, or topographical conditions.

B. Other documents. The Building Official shall prepare, maintain, and update. as deemed necessary and appropriate, in cooperation with other City departments and stakeholders, informational bulletins, training manuals and educational materials to assist ln the implementation of this chapter.

C. Publicly accessible. The Building Official shall publish the checklist, standard plan, and other documents on a publicly accessible internet website, where possible, or other publicly accessible location.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019)