Skip to main content
PermitBase

Solar Photovoltaic Permit in San Jose, California

Solar is one of the online building permits, but it is one of the two the City singles out as still needing plans reviewed later.

Verified 2026-09-11 · Source

When you need this permit

  • 'Solar Photovoltaic System' is listed 'Yes' for single-family/duplex and 'No' for multifamily and commercial/industrial.
  • The plans are reviewed at inspection rather than at plan check: 'Some, such as solar installations and earthquake retrofits, require plans that the City Inspector will review in the field during inspection of the project.'
  • A 'Stationary Storage Battery System' is listed separately and only as 'Limited' for single-family/duplex.

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Not ready yet — 0 of 1 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our checklist will assemble all of them, free →

Fee schedule

Solar Photovoltaic Permit feesThe page sets out eligibility by scope and property type rather than dollar figures.
NOT PUBLISHED on the online permits page

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Solar Photovoltaic Permit permit actually take in San Jose?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Field inspection

    Required after the work; for single-family homes the trade review itself is done in the field by the assigned building inspector.

Tips

  • ONLINE DOES NOT MEAN NO PLANS FOR SOLAR. San Jose names solar and earthquake retrofit as the exceptions where plans are required and reviewed in the field.
  • BATTERY STORAGE IS NOT THE SAME PERMIT AS THE PANELS - a stationary storage battery system is a separate line and is only 'Limited' even on single-family.

Frequently asked questions

San Jose requires a solar photovoltaic permit for: 'Solar Photovoltaic System' is listed 'Yes' for single-family/duplex and 'No' for multifamily and commercial/industrial.; The plans are reviewed at inspection rather than at plan check: 'Some, such as solar installations and earthquake retrofits, require plans that the City Inspector will review in the field during inspection of the project.'; A 'Stationary Storage Battery System' is listed separately and only as 'Limited' for single-family/duplex.. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of San Jose - Development Services Permit Center at 408-535-3555 before starting work.

In San Jose, the published Solar Photovoltaic Permit fees is: NOT PUBLISHED on the online permits page. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

San Jose does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of San Jose - Development Services Permit Center at 408-535-3555 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Online application at SJPermits.org. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

San Jose requires 1 inspection(s) for a solar photovoltaic permit, in order: Field inspection. Schedule each through City of San Jose - Development Services Permit Center (408-535-3555).

Apply through City of San Jose - Development Services Permit Center at San Jose City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St., 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95113. Phone: 408-535-3555. Office hours: Phone Hours: M-F, 7am-4pm. Permit Center visiting hours M-Tu-Th-F: 8am-12pm & 1pm-5pm, W: 9am-12pm & 1pm-5pm, and the City states 'No tickets after 3pm'. Speak with a Planner: M 10:30am-12pm & 1pm-4pm, Tu-W 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm, Th-F 9am-12pm & 1pm-2:30pm. Parking is under City Hall Tower with validation available.. Official information: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/business/development-services-permit-center.

San Jose, California has adopted: California Building Standards Code, Title 24 California Code of Regulations, as adopted statewide. NOT ASSERTED FOR SAN JOSE SPECIFICALLY: this record does not state the City's own local amendment ordinance, so no edition or amendment is claimed here. The statewide 2025 edition took effect 1 January 2026 per the City of San Diego's adoption document; San Jose's own adoption is not asserted here and must not be inferred from it.. Local amendments apply — see the San Jose overview page for the full list.

For a single-family or duplex property, yes - but plans are still required and the City Inspector reviews them in the field during inspection rather than beforehand.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.

Online permit portal

Department & other records

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the San Jose building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Property Access

San Jose's permit history is searchable by address

87,559 permits on record for San Jose, 1967–2026 — searchable by street address, with permit type, status, issued date and valuation where the city publishes them.

Start your 7-day free trial7 days free for new customers, then $79/mo · the guide above stays free

Other permits in San Jose

Residential Building Permit (Standard Plan Review Service)Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) PermitOnline Building Permit (SJPermits.org)Electrical PermitMechanical PermitPlumbing PermitReroof Permit

Solar Photovoltaic Permit in other cities

Fresno, CaliforniaSacramento, CaliforniaAk-Chin Indian Community, ArizonaAkron, ColoradoAlamogordo, New MexicoAlamosa, ColoradoAlbuquerque, New MexicoAlpine, Utah

Compare solar photovoltaic permit fees across California →

Look up this fee in a different city →

Embed this data card →

Now live

Build your San Jose project checklist

Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in San Jose — in one checklist. Free, for any city and any number of projects.

Get started →