Fullerton, CA
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1. Eligibility to use SolarAPP+
- Main Dwelling Rooftop, Permitted, Residential structures only.
- No Ballasted Systems.
- NOT located in a county flood zone. Click here to search for APNs that are located in flood zones and ineligible for SolarApp+.
- Located in City of Fullerton and not under any city jurisdiction.
- Must be a licensed contractor that has previously registered with SolarAPP+
- Permit Runners are not allowed to request SolarAPP+ permits.
- For a full list of requirements, please click here.
Planning Division Requirement - Electrical storage devices (i.e. power walls, batteries, etc…) shall not be placed on the premises or attached to a structure where it is visible from the public right-of-way. The screening of this equipment from public view shall be required, with the design of the screening device subject to the approval of the Director of Development Services. If placed within a garage or other parking area, the equipment and protective bollard shall not encroach into the required parking space dimension.
Fire Department Fire Code Requirement - Fire Detection. ESS installed in Group R-3 and R-4 occupancies shall comply with the following: Rooms and areas within dwellings units, sleeping units, basements and attached garages in which ESS are installed shall be protected by smoke alarms in accordance with Section 907.2.11. A listed heat alarm interconnected to the smoke alarms shall be installed in locations within dwelling units, sleeping units, and attached garages where smoke alarms cannot be installed based on their listing.
2. Submit for Automated Review Through SolarAPP+
- Submit your design to solarapp.nrel.gov .
- Click Login or Register to get started.
- A $25 processing fee will be charged by the SolarAPP+ website.
- Click here for a demonstration on SolarAPP+
3. Required Documents
- SolarAPP+ Approval Document
- Specifications
- Plans
4. Apply for Permit
- Apply for your permit .
- Click Apply
- Click Permits
- Search for SolarAPP+
- Provide your SolarAPP+ approval ID number and upload your plans, specifications and SolarAPP+ document
- Download and print your Construction ePermit
5. Getting an Inspection
- Have your Construction ePermit printed and available on-site for an inspector.
- Click here for instructions on how to schedule an inspection once your project is complete.
FAQ'S - SolarAPP+ Residential Permits
Why is Fullerton incorporating SolarAPP+ into the permit process?
In 2022, California passed SB 379 which “requires most California cities and counties to implement an online, automated permitting platform that verifies code compliance and issues permits in real time or allows the city, county, or city and county to issue permits in real time for a residential solar energy system.” SB 379
What is SolarAPP+?
- SolarAPP+ is a standardized plan review software that runs compliance checks and processes building permit approvals for eligible rooftop solar systems. NREL created SolarAPP+ process.
Who is NREL?
- NREL stands for National Renewable Energy Lab, a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, About NREL | NREL. SolarAPP+ is an application developed by NREL that allows authorized contractors to submit plans for certain rooftop residential solar projects and receive permits and plan check documents instantly.
Who Can Apply for SolarAPP+ Permits?
- Contractors who have completed training and are approved by SolarAPP+ are the only applicants that are accepted to use this streamlined process on SolarAPP+.
How does SolarAPP+ integrate with Fullerton EasyDev?
- Once the solar contractor gets their plan approved by SolarAPP+, the solar contractor applies for the permit on EasyDev with their SolarAPP+ approval code, and the permit is issued right away.
How does Fullerton make sure the solar application is not proposing installations on unpermitted structures in the City?
- When the contractor applies for SolarAPP+ on NREL Site, there will be a question to verify the building is permitted. If the building is not permitted, they are ineligible to apply on NREL’s SolarAPP+ and instead must apply for the regular permit on the Fullerton EasyDev portal.
Does SolarAPP+ apply to permits on properties within the 100-year Flood Zone and how can I find out if the subject property is within this Flood Zone Designation?
- The landing page above includes a link that identifies all APN’s that are within the FEMA 100-Year Flood Zones. The contractor has to check this list to see if property is within the FEMA 100-Year Flood Zones. If the property is within the 100-Year Flood Zone, they are ineligible to apply on NREL’s SolarAPP+ and instead must apply for the regular permit on Fullerton EasyDev portal.
Does SolarAPP+ collect fees and will the City be charging Fees?
- SolarAPP+ collects a one-time fee of $25.00. The City application fee is separate and will remain the same as a regular solar permit application that contractors apply for on Fullerton EasyDev portal.
What if the Contracto wants to do a panel upgrade at the same time?
- There will be a requirement to submit for an electrical permit online, this submittal will be completed through the EasyDev permit portal.
What happens if the contractor changes or requires resubmittal of plans?
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SolarAPP+ allows up to 3 revisions under the $25.00 fee. They must resubmit the application to SolarAPP+ and once the resubmittal is approved, they will receive a modified permit number, for example:
- Original SolarAPP+ ID: SA20230117-242-19-1234-A
- First Approved Revision SolarAPP+ ID: SA20230117-242-19-1234-B
- Second Approved Revision SolarAPP+ ID: SA20230117-242-19-1234-C
- Third and Last Approved Revision SolarAPP+ ID: SA20230117-242-19-1234-D
Once the contractor receives the new SolarAPP+ ID, they can upload this new document onto their existing permit on EasyDev, along with their modified plans. The City Inspector may charge any fees that are appropriate for the resubmittal, similar to the current process for re-inspection.