On September 16, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law SB 379, which requires counties and cities to implement an online, automated permitting platform for residential solar energy systems. The law also provides a procedure for counties and cities to report compliance and related information to the California Energy Commission (CEC). The law is designed to reduce the costs and delays associated with solar permitting in order to help California reach its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045.
In 2014, AB 2188 required every city and county, including charter cities, to streamline their permitting processes for small residential rooftop solar energy systems. The law also limited local governments to administrative review of solar energy system permits. Local governments were not allowed to review permits based on standards other than health or safety.
SB 379 requires specified cities and counties, including charter cities, to implement an online, automated permitting platform for residential solar energy systems. The permitting system must issue permits in real time and issue permits for residential solar energy systems and residential energy storage systems that is compatible with SolarAPP+, which is an online platform for rapid permitting of solar energy systems and associated battery storage.
In opposing the bill, the California Contract Cities Association said it would “directly limit many cities' local policing powers over their own administrative processes of permitting solar panels in their jurisdictions. Administrative practices are of very local concern – not often overseen by the State – and we believe cities are best suited to manage these activities.” The association also expressed concern that the law puts “too heavy a mandate on local cities without offering adequate resources – such as technical administrative support – to assist with implementation.”