Santa Barbara County Municipal Code Art. XVI Expedited Permitting Procedures for Small Residential Rooftop Solar Systems

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

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

1. E-mail.

2. The internet.

3. Facsimile.

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

1. A solar energy system that is no larger than ten kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or thirty 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 county 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 prescribed in chapter 10 of County Code.

"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. 5270, § 1, 11-18-2025)

The forms, applications, and checklist are available from the planning and development website http://sbcountyplanning.org/ and from planning and development county offices:

1. Applicant shall submit a completed eligibility checklist to verify that project qualifies for expedited permitting under this section.

2. All design documents outlined in the document titled "Submittal Requirements Bulletin" and checklist forms must be submitted either electronically or in hard copies to planning and development county offices.

3. The building official shall review application, checklist, and other submitted documents to ensure completeness and compliance with all applicable health and safety requirements of local, state, and federal law. An application that satisfies the information required in the checklist 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. If denied, building official shall notify the applicant in writing within forty-five days of receipt of the application. Upon confirmation that the application and supporting documents are complete, meet requirements of the checklist, and are consistent with this chapter, the building official shall approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.

4. Permit issuance does not authorize an applicant to connect the small residential rooftop solar 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. 5270, § 1, 11-18-2025)

For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required. The inspection shall be conducted in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection by the building official and fire chief. A separate fire safety inspection may be performed by the applicable fire protection agency. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, subsequent inspection(s) are authorized.

(Ord. No. 5270, § 1, 11-18-2025)

The decision of the building official to approve or deny a permit for a small residential rooftop solar energy system may be appealed pursuant to section 10-1.12 of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 5270, § 1, 11-18-2025)