California Energy Commission Public Workshop Recording on SB 379

The CEC hosted a webinar in December 2022 discussing Senate Bill 379, which requires specific jurisdictions to adopt an automated online permitting system for residential solar energy systems. Please see the recording here for more information: https://energy.zoom.us/rec/share/lNKkWV7SrueRKBaIf6cS4LDcDYehK9IvB34-XHhJjV0xfe8yf1XGR79YALRKgBRL.jHbgoT8AfWe0UYEx?startTime=1670522278000 

Q and A Document and Responses: https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2023-01/2022-12-08_Workshop_QandA_Senate_Bill379_Proposed_Guidelines_0.xlsx

CEC Presentation SB 379

Governor Newsom signed SB 379 in September 2022, which requires local jurisdictions located in a county with a population of 150,000 or more to adopt an online permitting platform for residential solar energy systems no larger than 38.4 kilowatts by September 30, 2023. Jurisdictions located in larger counties with a population size of 50,000 or fewer must comply with the new bill by September 30, 2024.  The platform developed must verify code compliance and issue permits in real-time.  Here is a copy of CEC’s presentation on the new law: https://bit.ly/3V7krLb

California Automated Permit Processing Program (CalAPP)

CALBO supported a budget appropriation of $20M to provide local building departments with funding to comply with SB 379.  You can apply for the program and find all the details here: https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/california-automated-permit-processing-program-calapp