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County of San Bernardino (CA)

California Authority Having Jurisdiction Solar permitting requirements
NEC Code Version2023
Fire Code Version2018 Building Code
SolarAPP+ StatusAdopted
Wet Stamps RequiredDigital Structural,Digital Electrical
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+ Restrictions
Existing Systems,Trenching
How Many Plansets Required
Other (See Submission Notes)
Revision Required
1
Rough Inspection
Footing inspection
New Planset Required For Module Swap
0

Stamps

Ee Stamp Required On SLD
Yes - 10kW+
Wet Stamps Required
Digital Structural,Digital Electrical
Structural Calculations Required
Yes
Ee Stamp Notes

EE Stamps only for systems at 10kW or higher.

Stamp Location On Plans
Unspecified
Date On Stamps
Expiration Date

Fire setbacks

Fire Setback Enforced
1
Setback Notes

Standard

Structural & loads

Wind Speed
130
Wind Notes

Exposure Category C

Ground mount structures require 90mph wind speed and Risk Category I

Snow Load
999
Snow Load Notes

Lake Arrowhead - 75 psf

Pinion Hills (>3,600') - 30PSF

Phelan (>3,600') - 30 PSF

Cedar Glen - 75 psf

City of Big Bear - 75 PSF

Big Bear Lake - 100 PSF

Oak Hills (>3,600') - 30psf

Yucca Valley - 30 psf

FOR AREAS NOT LISTED ABOVE, SEE THE ATTACHED SNOW LOAD FORM FOR AREAS IN SB COUNTY

  • All projects located above 3600 feet are subject to a 30 PSF snow load (not listed above)
Reducible Snow Load Allowed
1
Max Attachment Spacing
96
Structural Notes

Structural stamps are required on the elevation page when mounting battery to an H-Frame.

Provide calculations that confirm racking members can withstand 120 MPH wind speed, Exposure C Category per SB County IB-0003.

Minimum Ground On Roof
#10

Electrical

Electrical Load Calcs Required
Derates
Allowed POI
Line Side Taps,PV Breaker,Meter Adapter,Load Side Taps
Panel Schedule Required
Partial Home Backup
Temperature Rating
90
De Rating Ampacity
0.91
BOS Restrictions

Standard

Battery / ESS

Unique Battery Placards Needed
0
ESS Notes
  • Note: "ESS equipment shall be located at least 3' from all doors and windows directly entering the dwelling unit"
  • Show and label solar equipment shall be elevated a minimum of 1' from the highest adjacent grade
  • ADD NOTE - We need to specify if battery will or will not back up loads
  • Label the structure ESS is mounted to (IF detached)
Separate ESS Disconnect Required
Local Disconnect,ESS Disconnect
ESS Elevation Detail Required
No

Plan set

Plan Set Requirements
  • UL2703 FIRE CLASSIFICATION CERTIFICATION FOR ECOFASTEN ROCKIT IS REQUIRED : GFT-OP-10a Non-Conformance Letter Report (ecofastensolar.com)
  • Customer address should match utility bill address on all documents
  • Please show and label all electrical equipment, including conduit, to be elevated a minimum of 1'-foot off the highest adjacent ground
Cover Page

If Joshua tress are on the property they need to be shown on the site plan. If there are no Joshua trees on the property then add note - No Joshua trees on site

Cover Page Notes

All Jobs [PV SYSTEM SHALL NOT BLOCK EXISTING ROOF VENTS. ALL ROOF PENETRATIONS SHALL BE SEALED. NOTIFY UTILITY BEFORE ACTIVATION OF PV SYSTEM. // APPROVED SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS ARE REQUIRED WITHIN THE DWELLING UNIT AND SHALL BE FIELD VERIFIED EITHER THROUGH FINAL BUILDING INSPECTION OR A COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO SELF-CERTIFICATION FORM. SMOKE ALARMS ARE REQUIRED TO BE INSTALLED IN ALL BEDROOMS, OUTSIDE EACH BEDROOM, AND AT LEAST ONE ON EACH FLOOR OF THE HOUSE. R312.1, R315.1.]

Site
  • Show Existing system with leaders and label, on site plan

Battery

  • If battery is installed in garage, show impact protection per R328.8
Site Notes

All Jobs [Approved smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are required within the dwelling unit and shall be field verified either through final building inspection or a County of San Bernardino Self-Certification Form. Smoke alarms are required to be installed in all bedrooms, outside each bedroom, and at least one on each floor of the house. Carbon Monoxide alarms are required outside each bedroom and at least one on each floor of the house. R314.1, R315.1 // NEW ELECTRICAL SHALL BE LOCATED AT LEAST 3 FEET (0.9M) FROM GAS METER OR GAS SHUTOFF VALVES. // ROOF COVERING SHALL BE CLASS A IN NON-DETERIORATED STATE AND NO MORE THAN 2 ROOF LAYERS. PURSUANT TO CRC CHAPTER 9.R // LOCKABLE DISCONNECT, WITHIN 10’ OF THE METER, MUST BE PROVIDED THAT IS READILY ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES TO THE ASSOCIATION’S PERSONNEL. // ALL PV WIRE SHALL RUN ACROSS THE ROOF TO ONE JUNCTION BOX AND SHALL BE IN FREE AIR RUNNING THROUGH 3/4" EMT CONDUIT AND SHALL BE ATTACHED TO ROOF MOUNT CONDUIT SUPPORTS]

Attachment Detail
  • Show that 5/16” lag bolt will be used with a 2 1/2” penetration, not ¼’ lag bolt.
  • When using ecofasten rockit attachment, revise detail to show 5/16” lag bolt will be used with a 2 1/2” penetration, not ¼’ lag bolt. 
Attachment Detail Notes


Electrical Diagram

All Jobs:

  • Centerfed 120% allowed
  • If feeding a 200A breaker, indicate if it is a copper wire otherwise will need to be upsized, 3/0 would be undersize for this AHJ if wire is not copper.

Relocating Loads:

  • When relocating loads specify which loads are being relocated.
  • Specify the distance between the existing main panel and the new subpanel



Electrical Diagram Notes

All Jobs [Loads relocated greater than 6' will be AFCI protected as required by the current code // LOCKABLE DISCONNECT, WITHIN 10’ OF THE METER, MUST BE PROVIDED THAT IS READILY ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES TO THE ASSOCIATION’S PERSONNEL. // ALL PV WIRE SHALL RUN ACROSS THE ROOF TO ONE JUNCTION BOX AND SHALL BE IN FREE AIR RUNNING THROUGH 3/4" EMT CONDUIT AND SHALL BE ATTACHED TO ROFF MOUNT CONDUIT SUPPORTS]

Verify are conductors are copper



Label Page

Derates: Ensure there is a sign (placard) indicating the system is de-rated

1. Indicate that this sign shall be permanently affixed in a place for clear visibility and follows the county requirements for size, color, fonts, material, and location.

Custom Placards Required
1
Non Standard Revision Requirements

Revision letters should be as specific as possible and accurate.

Ground mount

Ground Mount Fencing Required
Mesh/Scrim
Ground Mount Notes

General Research & Requests

  • Septic record request: Make request - NextRequest - Modern FOIA & Public Records Request Software
  • Parcel map / survey research: Survey Document Research - Public Works
  • AHJ does not permit Nuance racking. Ensure designs use IronRidge with concrete footings.
  • 1/27/24: No construction allowed on drainage easements.
  • 2/12/24: AHJ requires a drainage study for ground mount.

Site Plan Requirements

  • Include aerial photos of the property with North, South, East, West clearly marked.
  • Show distances from proposed work to all staff, minimum 40 ft.
  • Specify the exact footing depth.
  • Notify the serving utility before PV system activation.
  • New electrical shall be located at least 3 ft (0.9 m) away from gas meters or gas shutoff/valves (NFPA 54:5.7.2.3).
  • Clear all brush and vegetation within 10 ft of the ground PV array for fire safety.
  • Drainage must be directed away from the PV array (R401.3).
  • Install erosion and sediment control devices (straw wattle, silt fence, etc.) no more than 36" from the construction perimeter.
  • AHJ requires either a fence or wire protection with mesh/scrim around the array.
  • Distance from GM to septic/leach lines must be added to site plan.

Desert Region Setbacks

  • Front: Patent reservation easement 50 ft + Regular setback 25 ft = minimum 75 ft
  • Sides: Patent reservation easement 50 ft + Regular setback 15 ft = minimum 65 ft
  • Rear: Patent reservation easement 50 ft + Regular setback 15 ft = minimum 65 ft

Array Detail & String Layout Page

  • Underground trenching shall comply with CEC Table 300.5.
  • Erosion and sediment control devices (straw wattle, silt fence, etc.) must be installed ≤36" from construction perimeter.

Ground Mount / Shade Structure Notes

  • Provide offsets from the side and back property lines per San Bernardino Development Code Table 82.9(C) (15 ft).
  • Arrays in areas with required snow load need site-specific engineering.
  • Maintain 40 ft clearance from staff: add note to plans - NO JOSHUA TREES WITHIN 40'.
  • Provide details for ground mount footing materials and dimensions.
  • Page 1: Provide 5 ft high safety enclosure with 3 ft clearance around solar structure and load center (CEC 110.27).
  • Without a soils report, Soils Class 4 per CBC 1806 does not apply; consider Soil Class 5 or provide a soils report from the engineer.
  • When using ground anchors:
  • Show cyclic dynamic testing backbone curve.
  • Provide materials and dimensions for footing details.


Ground Mount Requires Soil Sample
Soil Study
Setback Front Yard
25
Setback Back Yard
25
Setback Side Yard
15
Compiled from public records, 2026. Requirements change with code cycles and local amendments. Verify with the County of San Bernardino (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.