City of Fresno (CA)

California Authority Having Jurisdiction Solar permitting requirements

NEC Code Version2023

Fire Code Version2018 Building Code

SolarAPP+ StatusAdopted

Wet Stamps RequiredNone

Fire Setback Enforced1

Codes

NEC Code Version: 2023

Fire Code Version: 2018 Building Code

Code List

2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

2025 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE

2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE

2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE

2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE

2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE

2025 CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

ASCE Code Specification: ASCE 7-16

SolarAPP+ & submittal

SolarAPP+ Status: Adopted

Date SolarAPP+ Accepted: 45062

Any SolarAPP+ Restrictions: 1

SolarAPP+ Restriction Notes

Solaredge backup jobs with 63A breakers - Traditional submittal only - Solarapp will be rejected

SolarAPP+ Restrictions: Existing Systems,Trenching,Other

How Many Plansets Required: 1

Revision Required: 1

Rough Inspection: None

New Planset Required For Module Swap: 0

Stamps

Ee Stamp Required On SLD: Yes - Derate

Wet Stamps Required: None

Structural Calculations Required: No

Ee Stamp Notes

Stamp Location On Plans: Unspecified

Date On Stamps: Expiration Date

Fire setbacks

Fire Setback Enforced: 1

Ridge Setback: 36

Setback Notes

Fresno fire requires 36" setbacks on both sides of all horizontal ridges.
Setbacks to start at load bearing wall and not over unsupported eave
Setbacks must be drawn on all portions of the roof plan, setbacks cannot be 'assumed'

Structural & loads

Wind Speed: 110

Wind Notes: Exposure Category B

Snow Load: 0

Snow Load Notes: N/A

Reducible Snow Load Allowed: 1

Max Attachment Spacing: 96

Minimum Ground On Roof: #10

Electrical

AC Disconnect Required: Yes

AC Disconnect Conditional Criteria: If battery is interior, an exterior AC disco is required

Electrical Load Calcs Required: Derates

Allowed POI: Load Side Taps,PV Breaker,Meter Adapter,Line Side Taps

Panel Schedule Required: Whole Home Backup

Temperature Rating: 90

De Rating Ampacity: 0.91

Battery / ESS

Unique Battery Placards Needed: 0

ESS Notes

Battery [Producers storage device(s) will not cause the Host Load to exceed its normal peak demand. Normal peak demand is defined as the highest amount of power required from the Distribution System by Producers complete facilities without the influence or use of the energy storage device(s).]

On the ELD, identify what loads will be remaining in MSP

9540A accepted, manufacturer required spacing between batteries is allowed.

3' from egress doors, windows, and all corners is still required
Ensure battery datasheet in plan set includes the 9540a listing.

Separate ESS Disconnect Required: ESS Disconnect

ESS Elevation Detail Required: No

Plan set

Plan Set Requirements

Plans must include datasheets for every piece of new equipment being installed (Combiner panel, load centers, etc)
Plans should reference CA codes only, remove all references to National/International codes
AHJ is particular about text legibility, ensure all pages will have clear and legible text when printed

MPU

If using a solar ready MPU, include the spec sheets

Existing Systems

Specify if existing system is rapid shutdown compliant or non-rapid shutdown compliant with leader

Cover Page Notes: All Jobs [ROOF ACCESS POINTS SHALL BE LOCATED IN AREAS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE THE PLACEMENT OF GROUND LADDERS OVER OPENINGS SUCH AS WINDOWS OR DOORS, AND LOCATED AT STRONG POINTS OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION IN LOCATIONS WHERE THE ACCESS POINT DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH OVERHEAD OBSTRUCTIONS SUCH AS TREE LIMBS, WIRES OR SIGNS. // SHOW ON PLANS WHERE FIREFIGHTER ACCESS POINTS WILL BE LOCATED. CFC 1204.2. DISCONNECTING EQUIPMENT: ALL PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR POWER SYSTEM DISCONNECTING MEANS, INCLUDING RAPID SHUTDOWN EQUIPMENT SHALL BE INDICATING, OF AN APPROVED SIZE AND TYPE AND SHALL BE PLACED IN AN APPROVED POSITION THAT IS PLAINLY VISIBLE TO APPROACHING FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL. FMC 10- 51204.5.3. // DISCONNECTING MEANS SHALL HAVE A SIGN STATING EITHER ON/OFF OR ENERGIZED/NOT ENERGIZED . SHOW THIS SIGNAGE ON PLANS. \\\ RAPID SHUTDOWN SWITCH: A RAPID SHUTDOWN SHALL HAVE A LABEL LOCATED IN AN APPROVED .LOCATION, NOT GREATER THAN ONE FOOT FROM THE SWITCH AND THE LABELING SHALL BE PLACED IN A LOCATION THAT IS PLAINLY VISIBLE TO APPROACHING FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL. // LABELING SHALL BE REFLECTIVE AND BE OF SUFFICIENT DURABILITY TO WITHSTAND THE ENVIRONMENT INVOLVED AND SHALL BE MAINTAINED. THE LABELING SHALL STATE THE FOLLOWING: RAPID SHUTDOWN SWITCH FOR SOLAR PV SYSTEM FMC SECTION 10-501204.5.3. // LOCATIONS OF DC CONDUCTORS: CONDUIT, WIRING SYSTEMS AND RACEWAYS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC CIRCUITS SHALL BE LOCATED AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE RIDGE OR HIP OR VALLEY AND FROM THE HIP OR VALLEY AS DIRECTLY AS POSSIBLE TO REDUCE TRIP HAZARDS AND MAXIMIZE VENTILATION OPPORTUNITIES. // CONDUIT RUNS BETWEEN SUB ARRAYS AND TO DC COMBINER BOXES SHALL BE INSTALLED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT MINIMIZES THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CONDUIT ON THE ROOF BY TAKING THE SHORTEST PATH FROM THE ARRAY TO THE DC COMBINER BOX. // THE DC COMBINER BOXES SHALL BE LOCATED SUCH THAT CONDUIT RUNS ARE MINIMIZED IN THE PATHWAYS BETWEEN ARRAYS. DC WIRING SHALL BE INSTALLED IN METALLIC CONDUIT OR RACEWAYS WHEN LOCATED WITHIN ENCLOSED SPACES IN A BUILDING. CONDUIT SHALL RUN ALONG THE BOTTOM OF LOAD BEARING MEMBERS.]

Site

Provide a scaled drawing showing the exact distance of structures on the property to the house and property line.
If structures are larger than 120 sq ft, a permit must be provided.
Provide a site plan that includes all structures on the property, drawn to scale (do not include RVs, canvas covers, or pop tents).
Show the dimensions of the property lines.

Site Notes: ALL JOBS [AC disconnect (if required) must be within line of sight to MSP]

Roof Plan

Setbacks must be drawn on all roof surfaces, setbacks cannot be 'assumed'
The layout of existing PV systems needs to be illustrated as individual modules, not as one large “obstruction.”
Layout of modules needs to be replicated in Aurora before downloading DXF
3FT Setbacks required

Attachment Detail

Specify the maximum and minimum distance the PV modules are from the roofing material.

Electrical Diagram

Informational note:

If all equipment is accessible from outside and no gates block access, only one lockable AC disconnect is required within line of sight of the MSP/equipment.
If equipment or an ESS is located behind a gate, one of the following is required:
An AC conductor disconnect behind the gate, within line of sight of the equipment, and a separate lockable AC disconnect within line of sight of the MSP; or
A lockable AC disconnect within line of sight of the MSP only, which eliminates the need for an AC conductor disconnect behind the gate.
If a battery is installed in the garage, a separate AC conductor disconnect is required in the garage, in addition to a lockable AC disconnect within line of sight of the MSP.

All Jobs

AHJ DOES NOT ACCEPT OUR BUSBAR CERTS.

Derate

Provide picture of entire main panel, dead front and breakers in the plans.

Taps

Provide pictures of where tap will be in plans.

Battery

Provide load calcs for back up load panel.
Full panel schedule(s) required. MSP, sub panels, BLC, ISO.
Separate ESS disconnect required to comply with article 690.12c

Electrical Diagram Notes

Existing Systems [Existing system is rapid shutdown compliant or non rapid shutdown compliant]

Label Page

Use 2017 Yellow, ensure all code reference are removed
Label Page should reference CA codes only.
AHJ requires a specific rapid shutdown label. Please see "RSD label" image in files section of this page for examples of the text required to be present on the label.
Color requirements for the labels are below:
1. For solar photovoltaic systems that shut down the array and the conductors leaving the array, a label shall be provided. The first two lines of the label shall be uppercase characters with a minimum height of 3/8 inch (10 mm) in black on a yellow background. The remaining characters shall be uppercase with a minimum height of 3116 inch (5 mm) in black on a white background.
2. For photovoltaic systems that only shut down conductors leaving the array; a label shall be provided. The first two lines of the label shall be uppercase characters with a minimum height of 3/8 inch (10 mm) in white on a red background and the remaining characters shall be capitalized with a minimum height of 3/16 inch (5 mm) in black on a white background. The label shall be in accordance with Figure 1205.4.1(2).

Custom Placards Required: 1

Placards Notes

Standard Permanent Placards required, reflecting placards on plan set (Disconnect placards, main site placard at MSP)

Additional AHJ-specific placards

ESS JOBS - ESS Shutdown Placard Label
ESS JOBS - Placard at MSP detailing step by step how to shut system off
Special derate placard needed for derates. 'DO NOT UPSIZE - MAIN HAS BEEN DERATED'
Specify If Existing system is rapid shutdown compliant or non-rapid shutdown compliant with leader

Non Standard Revision Requirements

This AHJ is very particular about red clouding on revisions.
We must cloud every single change on the plans, and cannot cloud an entire page
The resubmission letter must also specifically explain the changes on each page.
DO NOT use abbreviations such as BOS, etc.

Ground mount

Ground Mount Fencing Required: Yes

Ground Mount Notes

Fencing is required for ground mounts
Fence must be 5ft high
Wire mesh type material is also acceptable, so long as it is flush mounted from ground to array. If meshing is plastic, must be UV rated.
Setbacks are a minimum of 5' from property lines or other structures
Accessory structures may not be located within the required 15' front setback.
A Special Inspection Letter for deep foundations is required. The AHJ stated that the soil engineers in town are generally also testing labs and can do the inspections required to obtain the letter. The reviewer gave no recommendation but listed some of the available businesses in the area who provide the service: TECHNICON, Sees, Krazan, Moore Twining, Salem, and RMA.

Ground Mount Requires Soil Sample: Soil Study

Setback Front Yard: 15