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Solar Photovoltaic Systems

This Guide is designed to help you through the permitting and construction processes associated with a solar photovoltaic system project. For further information on Photovoltaic systems, please review our handout, "Solar Photovoltaic Systems: Minimum Submittal Requirements", Form 4613. You should also check with the Planning Division (619-691-5101) to see if there are any specific zoning issues you should be concerned about.

To apply for a solar photovoltaic system permit, you need to stop at our Building Counter at 276 Fourth Avenue across the street from the library (north-west corner of 4th and F, downtown Chula Vista.) For us to accept your permit application, you must provide us with a complete submittal package. A complete submittal package consists of the following:

1. A completed "Residential Addition-Remodel-Patio-Wall/Fence-Pool Worksheet", Form 4562.
2. Three copies of a Plot/Site Plan showing the general layout of the existing building site, location of the solar photovoltaic system, and address. Please review our handout, "How To Prepare A Residential Plot Plan", Form 4595 , or call us at (619) 691-5272.
3. Two copies of construction plans and details including but not limited to; location of existing electrical service(s) and panels, location of all solar equipment including number of modules in series, number of panels (groups or modules) in parallel, roof pitch, spacing and size of roof members, type of roof covering, details for the assembly of the modules and for the connection of the modules to roof members and weather sealing of roof penetrations.

The Permit Fee is $45.00 which you must pay at time of permit issuance.

After our Development Services Technicians (DST's) verify that the application package is complete, they will forward a set of plans/documents to each of the three departments/divisions; Building, Planning, and Engineering. Approval from all three departments/divisions is required prior to permit issuance. To contact any of the departments/divisions, please see the contact list shown at the end of this document.

The plan check process is then tracked in our Automated Tracking System and the project is assigned a standard turn-around-time. The standard turn-around-time for an initial review is 7 calendar days. The standard turn-around-time for follow-up reviews (rechecks) is 7 calendar days.

After you obtain all the required approvals and pay the Permit Fee, a DST will issue you a building permit. Now you can start construction. One inspection is required for a typical solar photovoltaic system:

• Inspecting the bolting of the panels to the roof structure and inspecting all aspects of the electrical system including grounding, sub-panels and inverter.