City of Simi Valley, CA
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Effective January 1, 2023 Residential Solar projects will be handled as follows:
If you are a licensed contractor you must submit all new roof-mounted solar projects through SolarAPP+ for plan check before submitting for a permit in the Simi Valley self-service portal. This includes residential roof-mounted photovoltaic designs, with or without panel upgrades. SolarAPP+ can process solar systems up to 38 kW.
If your project includes additional panels to existing solar or ground mounted solar please call Building and Safety at (805) 583-6723 before applying on our self-service portal.
SolarAPP+ permits only include one inspection, so make sure all work is completed before calling for an inspection and that the work done matches the approved scope of work on your approval document and permit. At time of inspection: you will need to have a set of plans for the inspectors to review along with your SolarAPP+ approval document.
- Submit for automated review through SolarAPP+.
- Register with SolarAPP+ at solarapp.nrel.gov. Please note registration process can be delayed due to significant number of applications State wide. If your registration takes longer than two weeks please contact SolarAPP+ at team@solar-app.org or call them at (313) 483-9717 to see if you are missing any documentation.
- Sign in to SolarAPP+ at solarapp.nrel.gov
- Submit design
- Pay $25 administrative fee (per project)
- Download SolarAPP+ Approval Document
- If your project is rejected please work directly with SolarAPP+.
- Submit SolarAPP+ Permit application to the City.
- Register or log in to the portal
- Search for and select the Building & Safety - SolarAPP+ Permit application
- Attach fully completed and signed Construction Permit Declaration
- Attach your SolarAPP+ Approval Document
- Submit your permit application
- Pay the permit fees online, the permit will be auto-issued and emailed to the email address on file.
- Note: One combination permit will be issued for the photovoltaic installation along with any associated electrical storage units and panel upgrades/change-outs that are included in your SolarAPP+ permit application
- Schedule the inspection online.
- Log in to the portal and request inspection.
- Requests received by 4:00 p.m. may be scheduled for the following business day
- Submit for a revision through SolarAPP+ first, you will be provided with a downloadable revised SolarAPP+ Approval Document.
- Call Building & Safety at (805) 583-6723 to request a revision to your existing permit. Building & Safety staff will look up the status of the existing permit to determine whether a revision can be made or a new permit is needed and will provide further instructions. Additional fees will apply.
Solar Revisions (not SolarAPP+ related)
All solar revisions must be sent to enviroservices@simivalley.org. Be sure to include the permit number, address, and a narrative of what was changed so we may change the description accordingly. Additional fees will apply.
Solar Inquiries
If you encounter any issues with the Simi Valley Self Service Portal please call us at (805) 583-6723 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. If you are having trouble with SolarAPP+ please contact them directly at (313) 483-9717.
If you are a homeowner interested in applying for solar as Owner/Builder please reach out to Building and Safety staff at (805) 583-6723.
Tool Kits
The following “Tool Kits” are designed to help applicants obtain small roof mounted photovoltaic permits for One and Two Family Dwellings.
- PV Toolkit #1 - Submittal Requirements Bulletin - Solar Photovoltaic Installations 10 kW or Less
- PV Toolkit #2 - Eligibility Checklist for Expedited Solar Photovoltaic Permitting
- PV Toolkit #3 - Solar PV Standard Plan - Simplified Central/String Inverter Systems
- PV Toolkit #4 - Solar PV Standard Plan - Simplified Microinverter and ACM Systems
- PV Toolkit #5 - Structural Criteria for Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Installations
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