Solar Panels in Los Angeles

electrical + building permit

As of 2026-05-31, residential solar PV installations in the City of Los Angeles require an electrical permit from LADBS (and a building permit when structural roof attachment work is in scope or when array coverage exceeds 50% of total roof area). LADBS operates ePermit-Solar, the online residential solar PV permitting system, and participates in the federal SolarAPP+ automated plan-review platform under California SB 379, which requires most California cities and counties to provide automated, online, real-time permitting for residential solar and paired storage. Express Solar Permits with electronic plan check are typically issued within 1-3 business days for qualifying installations meeting the LADBS Eligibility Checklist for Expedited Solar Photovoltaic Permitting (PV Toolkit 2). California AB 1132 caps residential solar permit fees at $450 for systems up to 15 kW (plus $15 per kW above 15 kW) through January 2034. Installations in HPOZs may require Planning Department review for arrays visible from the public right-of-way. Properties in LADWP service territory require LADWP's separate interconnection / Net Energy Metering application in addition to the LADBS permit. Verify current SolarAPP+ / ePermit-Solar eligibility, HPOZ status, and LADWP interconnection requirements with LADBS, City Planning, and LADWP before relying on expedited-permit timelines.

Verified 2026-05-31 · Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety · Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety · Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety · Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety · City of Los Angeles