SolarAPP+
Stanislaus County Building Permit Services and SolarAPP+ provide instant PV Solar Plan review for Residential Rooftop systems and Energy Storage Systems.
Stanislaus County has partnered with SolarAPP+ to provide contractors with a permitting option that allows them to get an expedited plan review for residential roof top solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems. The SolarAPP+ system is an automated web-based design review system that checks to ensure proposed systems comply with current California building, electrical, and fire codes.
- Residential roof-top PV solar systems
- Residential roof-top PV solar systems and electrical service upgrades
- Residential roof-top PV solar systems and electrical service upgrades with Energy Storage
- Please review the following for project eligibility:
What Projects do not qualify for SolarAPP+
- Proposed PV solar systems installed on an unpermitted building
- Energy storage system projects that do not include a new PV solar system
- Ground mount PV solar systems
- PV solar systems where an existing PV solar system is installed
- PV solar systems installed on a structure in a flood plain
- Homeowner/Builder installed PV solar systems
- Projects with electrical services larger than 400A
- Parcels with active code enforcement violation cases
- Electrical systems that have been altered without permits
How do I use SolarAPP+?
- How to use the SolarAPP+ Permitting and Inspection Tool
- SolarAPP+ website
- Register with SolarAPP+
- You will also need to register for an account with Stanislaus County’s per Citizen Access Portal.
- This is a two-part process:
- First you will submit your design for review through SolarAPP+
- Once you receive your approval documents from SolarAPP+ you will access the Citizen Access Portal where you will complete the application, upload your approval documents, and pay the permit fee once requested.
What do I do after my permit is issued?
- Once the permit is issued you can complete the installation.
- When the installation is complete and you are ready for inspection you will need to request an inspection by calling (209)525-7550 or use the Citizen Access Portal to schedule your inspection.
What documents do I need for the inspection?
- Print out a hard copy of the submitted SolarAPP+ Approval Document and it will serve as an inspection checklist.
How do I make changes to approved projects after permit issuance?
- Projects can be revised as many times as the contractor wishes prior to installation. After revisions are complete and the project is submitted, SolarAPP+ will then run another compliance check. If your updated system design is code compliant, the system will reissue your revised Approval Document and Inspection Checklist.
- After the revised Approval Document is issued you will be required to use the County’s Citizen Access Portal to resubmit the revised Approval Document.
- SolarAPP+ does not charge additional fees for the first three revisions (Documents B, C, D), while each subsequent revisions require a $25 project fee to SolarAPP+. If a revision requires payment of an additional fee, the Approval Document is not issued until the fee is paid.
To Summarize the use of the SolarAPP+:
Eligibility
- Permitted Residential structures or accessory structures
- No ballasted racking systems
- Licensed contractors only
Submittal to SolarAPP+
- Login/register with SolarAPP+ to get started
- Contractor license information is required
- Pay $25 processing fee to SolarAPP+
Submit/Apply for County Building Permit
- Create an account or login Citizen Access Portal
- Click on County Building
- Click on Create an Application
- Approve the terms of Disclaimer
- Select “Solar Permit with Solar APP +” as the record type
- Provide the Description of work and complete all the custom fields specific to the PV system
- Attach the approved SolarAPP+ documents
- Once submitted you will be contacted about paying building permit fees.
Schedule Your Inspections
- Request an inspection by calling (209) 525-7550 or Citizen Access Portal to schedule your inspection
SolarAPP+ Q&A
- What is SolarAPP+?
- What types of systems are eligible for SolarAPP+ review?
- How do I register with SolarAPP+?
- How do I submit a project through SolarAPP+?
- Can Solar APP+ support installation in a flood plain?
- Is there a limit on system size SolarAPP+ can review?
- How much does SolarAPP+ cost an installer to use?
- How do I make changes to approved plans?
- Contractors Guide: Being prepared for SolarAPP+ inspection
