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County of Orange (CA)

California Authority Having Jurisdiction Solar permitting requirements
NEC Code Version2023
Fire Code Version2018 Building Code
SolarAPP+ StatusAdopted
Wet Stamps RequiredDigital Structural
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
Any SolarAPP+ Restrictions
1
SolarAPP+ Restriction Notes
  • No ballasted or ground mounted systems.


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
No
Wet Stamps Required
Digital Structural
Structural Calculations Required
Yes
Stamp Location On Plans
Center
Date On Stamps
Expiration Date

Fire setbacks

Fire Setback Enforced
1
Setback Notes

Standard

Structural & loads

Wind Speed
110
Wind Notes

Exposure Category C

Snow Load
0
Reducible Snow Load Allowed
0
Max Attachment Spacing
48
Structural Notes
  • Leave a space blank in the top right corner for AHJ stamp.
  • Provide structural calculations to verify the existing roof framings are adequate to the proposed loads. Also, provide lateral analysis (wind and seismic).
Minimum Ground On Roof
#10

Electrical

AC Disconnect Conditional Criteria
All Jobs [A single, visible-open, lockable AC disconnect shall be within three feet of the meter on the exterior of the building per fire code (15.24.025 Amendments to the California Electrical Code)]
Electrical Load Calcs Required
Derates
Allowed POI
Meter Adapter,PV Breaker,Load Side Taps,Line Side Taps
Panel Schedule Required
Partial Home Backup
Service Ground Requirements

ADD NOTE ON SLD: "IF EXISTING UFER NOT FOUND REQUIRED 5/8 ∅ GROUNDING WITH 8'-0" MINIMUM EMBEDMENT & REQUIRED TO KEEP 6-0" O.C APART BETWEEN TWO GROUNDINGS"

Temperature Rating
90
De Rating Ampacity
0.96
BOS Restrictions

Standard

Battery / ESS

Unique Battery Placards Needed
1
ESS Notes
  • Battery system must be shown on placard.
  • Battery system needs Battery Disco.
  • Note on plans whether battery is installed in garage or exterior
  • Provide floor plan of the garage and wall elevations. show required clearances, protection from vehicle impact per CRC Section R328.8.1. Example saved to files below as "ESS Garage Floor Plan Example". Garage floor plan must also show an 18ftx18ft unimpeded clearance.
  • Demonstrate that the battery will be a minimum 3' from all entrances to the building (doors, windows)
  • Provide mounting details for the battery signed and stamped by the engineer or provide mounting details from the manufacturer
  • ESS disconnect required within 6ft of MSP on same wall and not blocked by walls/gates/etc
  • 1/3/24 Provide the following notes on the plans:
  • ESS shall be installed only in the following locations: Attached garages separated from the dwelling unit living space in accordance with Section R302.6. Outdoors or on the exterior side of exterior walls located not less than 3 feet (914 mm) from doors and windows directly entering the dwelling unit."
Separate ESS Disconnect Required
Local Disconnect,ESS Disconnect
ESS Elevation Detail Required
Yes - with dimensions

Plan set

Plan Set Requirements
  • Centerfed 120%: No
  • DC CALCS FROM JB TO INVERTER REQUIRED
  • Need to have both County of Orange checklist and County of Orange Structural criteria pages filled out
Cover Page


Cover Page Notes

All Jobs [A single, visible-open, lockable AC disconnect shall be within three feet of the meter on the exterior of the building per fire code (15.24.025 Amendments to the California Electrical Code)]

Site

AC disconnect needs to be 3' from msp

Attachment Detail
  • Tile Roofs utilizing Unirac Solar Hook (CT5) require 48" attachment spacing or provide eccentricity calculation
  • Test lab report for tile roof hook is needed (attach PDF to plans below in file section)
Attachment Detail Notes

All Jobs [PROVIDE PILOT HOLES ON ALL ROOF TYPES FOR ALL ATTACHMENTS]

Electrical Diagram
  • Centerfed 120%: No
  • MPU: UTILIZE 230.67 SURGE PROTECTOR BLOCK
  • IF WE HAVE A BATTERY, AC DISCONNECT MUST BE LOCATED BETWEEN MSP AND GATEWAY/IQSC/BUI
Electrical Diagram Notes

All Jobs [IF EXISTING UFER NOT FOUND REQUIRED 5/8 GROUNDING WITH 8'-0 MINIMUM EMBEDMENT & REQUIRED TO KEEP 6-0 O.C APART BETWEEN TWO GROUNDINGS]

  • RAPID SHUTDOWN INITIATION DEVICE - SOLAREDGE POWER OPTIMIZER S440 PER CEC 690.12(C) DC CALCS FROM JB TO INVERTER REQUIRED
  • AC DISCONNECTS MUST BE LOCKED OR REQUIRE A TOOL TO OPEN.
  • (IF CENTERFED): "PER 705.12(B)(3)(4), PV BACKFEED BREAKER WILL BE PLACED AT END OF THE CENTER-FED PANELBOARD.)"
Label Page

For Derates use placard: THE MAIN BREAKER HAS BEEN DERATED TO ACCOMMODATE SOLAR SYSTEM. DO NOT UPSIZE

Custom Placards Required
1
Placards Notes

When derating please add placard: "Main breaker has been de-rated for solar system. Do not upsize".

Non Standard Revision Requirements

Use Delta ABC for revision clouds and responses pre permit issuance, do not use Delta 123 until a permit has been provided and something changes at install.

Ground mount

Ground Mount Fencing Required
Mesh/Scrim
Ground Mount Notes

A soil report is required for GM systems located on a hillside

if GM is relocated provide new soil report

  1. Location. Ground-mounted solar energy collectors are permitted in all zoning districts. In residential districts, solar energy collectors and their mounting framework shall not be located, installed, and maintained within the front setback and shall not to be visible from the public right-of-way adjacent to the front, side, or rear property line. In nonresidential districts, solar energy collectors may be visible from the public right-of-way with approval of a Site Development Permit.
  2. Height. In residential districts, the height of a ground-mounted solar energy collector system shall not exceed twelve (12) feet unless within three (3) feet of the property line, where the maximum height shall be eight (8) feet. The maximum height shall be twenty-five (25) feet when located on a non-residential property not abutting a residential zone. The maximum height of a ground-mounted solar energy collector system shall be fifteen (15) feet when located on a non-residential property abutting a residential zone.
  3. Setbacks. Installations less than six (6) feet in height may project up to two (2) feet into a required setback. Installations six (6) feet or more in height shall be setback a minimum of eight (8) feet from all property lines.
Ground Mount Requires Soil Sample
Soil Study
Compiled from public records, 2026. Requirements change with code cycles and local amendments. Verify with the County of Orange (CA) building department before you rely on this, and treat it as a research head start, not a ruling. Getting quotes? Run them through the quote checker first.