Solar panels and EV chargers in Santa Barbara County

Each rule below links to the section of the Santa Barbara County Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Santa Barbara County's code says

Santa Barbara County code What Santa Barbara County's code adds
EV charger permit	Expedited administrative approval; all required permits are issued once the checklist application and documents are confirmed complete. Applies: Applies to projects that meet the EV charging station checklist. § 10-17.4 · code text Upon confirmation by the building official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirement of the checklist, the building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.
Solar permit process	Expedited permits with a completed eligibility checklist; submit electronically or on paper; complete qualifying applications are approved. Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar systems that qualify for expedited permitting. § 10-16.2 · code text 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. No design review or planning permit, but building, electrical, plumbing or Solar Use Permits are required as applicable. Applies: Montecito code; solar on existing roofs and freestanding solar systems. § 35.430.160 · code text Solar energy systems located on the roof of an existing structure and freestanding solar energy systems are exempt from design review and do not require planning permit approval; however, such systems do require the issuance of a Building Permit, Electrical Permit, Plumbing Permit and/or Solar Use Permit, as applicable, in compliance with Chapter 10 (Building Regulations) of the County Code. No design review or planning permit, but building, electrical, plumbing or Solar Use Permits are required as applicable. Applies: County code; solar on existing roofs and freestanding solar systems. § 35.30.160 · code text Solar energy systems located on the roof of an existing structure and freestanding solar energy systems are exempt from design review and do not require planning permit approval, however such systems do require the issuance of a Building Permit, Electrical Permit, Plumbing Permit and/or Solar Use Permit, as applicable, in compliance with Chapter 10 (Building Regulations) of the County Code.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Santa Barbara County?

Santa Barbara County's code: Expedited permits with a completed eligibility checklist; submit electronically or on paper; complete qualifying applications are approved. (Applies to small home rooftop solar systems that qualify for expedited permitting.) (§ 10-16.2); Expedited administrative approval; all required permits are issued once the checklist application and documents are confirmed complete. (Applies to projects that meet the EV charging station checklist.) (§ 10-17.4).

Solar panels and EV chargers in Santa Barbara County

What Santa Barbara County's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Santa Barbara County property

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