County of Riverside (CA)

California Authority Having Jurisdiction Solar permitting requirements

NEC Code Version2023

Fire Code Version2018 Building Code

SolarAPP+ StatusAdopted

Wet Stamps RequiredDigital Electrical,Digital 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

IEBC Accepted: 1

ASCE Code Specification: ASCE 7-16

SolarAPP+ & submittal

SolarAPP+ Status: Adopted

Date SolarAPP+ Accepted: 45201

Any SolarAPP+ Restrictions: 1

SolarAPP+ Restriction Notes

Maximum of 15KW system size

SolarAPP+ Restrictions: Existing Systems,Trenching,Other

How Many Plansets Required: 2

Revision Required: 1

Rough Inspection: None

New Planset Required For Module Swap: 0

Stamps

Ee Stamp Required On SLD: Yes - 10kW+

Wet Stamps Required: Digital Electrical,Digital Structural

Structural Calculations Required: Yes - Attachment Spacing > 4ft,Yes - Pitch > 26

Stamp Location On Plans: Unspecified

Date On Stamps: Expiration Date

Fire setbacks

Fire Setback Enforced: 1

Ridge Setback: 18

Setback Notes: Standard 2018 Fire Setbacks

Structural & loads

Wind Speed: 110

Wind Notes: Exposure Category C

Snow Load: 0

Snow Load Notes: N/A

Reducible Snow Load Allowed: 1

Max Attachment Spacing: 48

Minimum Ground On Roof: #10

Electrical

AC Disconnect Required: Yes

AC Disconnect Conditional Criteria: BATTERY JOBS: Systems containing a Multimode Inverter/ESS Backup (a system that supply power when the grid is off), require a Lockable Disconnecting Means, to be installed near the main service panel [CEC 705.22].

Electrical Load Calcs Required: Derates

Allowed POI: PV Breaker,Load Side Taps,Meter Adapter

Panel Schedule Required: Partial Home Backup

Service Ground Requirements

Temperature Rating: 90

De Rating Ampacity: 0.91

BOS Restrictions: Standard

Battery / ESS

Unique Battery Placards Needed: 1

ESS Notes

BATTERIES CANNOT BE PLACED INSIDE THE GARAGE

UL 9540A (REDUCED SPACING) NOT ACCEPTED

IF PROJECT IS OVER 20KW (AC OR DC) TRANDITIONAL PLAN SET REQUIRED

Elevation with dimensions showing equipment is 3' from doors, windows, and any (E) electrical equipment is required
DO NOT INCLUDE DIMENSION FROM BOTTOM OF BATTERY TO GRADE
ESS disconnect required within line of sight of battery
Battery [Individual ESS units shall be separated from each other by a min. of 3’]

WHEN UTILIZING A NEW LUG KIT, INCLUDE SPEC SHEET W/ UL STAMP AND LISTING

Separate ESS Disconnect Required: Local Disconnect,ESS Disconnect

ESS Elevation Detail Required: Yes - with dimensions

Plan set

Plan Set Requirements

IF THERE IS AN OPEN MPU OR REROOF PERMIT, THE PLAN SHALL INCLUDE THE PERMIT NUMBERS.
IF UNPERMITTED STRUCTURES GET PERMITTED DURING THE SOLAR PERMIT PROCESS, THE NEW PERMIT NUMBER FOR THE STRUCTURES MUST BE PROVIDED IN PLANS.
Provide roofing material, lag screw length, min. lag screw size (5/16”), and embedment (2 ½” min.)

EV Chargers

EV chargers: complete the EVSE Handout form from the files section below.
INCLUDE ALL CORRESPONDING DATASHEETS IN THE PLANS FOR THE EV CHARGER TO BE INSTALLED
IF THE EV CHARGER IS TO BE INSTALLED IN A GARAGE, A FULLY DIMENSIONED GARAGE SITE PLAN SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE EV CHARGER NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PLANS

Cover Page

All Jobs

ENLARGE PAGE NUMBER AT BOTTOM RIGHT OF EACH PAGE, PLANS WILL BE REJECTED IF TEXT IS TOO SMALL
SCOPE OF WORK SHALL REFLECT ALL PROPOSED EQUIPMENT, HARDWARE, AND AC/DC KW.

Battery

INCLUDE ESS SYSTEM IN THE SCOPE OF WORK ON THE COVER SHEET.

Cover Page Notes: All Jobs [THIS INSTALLATION WILL BE PROVIDED WITH THE RAPID SHUTDOWN CAPABILITY REQUIRED BY SECTION 690.12 OF THE 2025 CEC]

Site

All existing Structures must be labeled on plans. Patio covers, easy-ups, storage containers, ponds, RV's, tents, teepees, anything that can look like a structure to the plan checker when they open up the map. Specify that the structures have NO ELECTRIC
AHJ uses Google Maps / existing permits to check for structures on the property. The site plan MUST align with what the AHJ will see on Google Maps when they compare to our site plan
When a structure that is no longer present on the site (proven by our site report / NearMap) then we need to indicate that the structure is removed on the site plan with specific verbiage -- "CWP has been removed at LOCATION"
AHJ will allow us to install on sites with unpermitted structures provided we submit a Contractor Approval Form. See example in the files below
AC disconnect must be next to both the inverter and the main panel
If there is a perimeter fence, length and height must be specified
Pools must be shown on site plan
The site plan must be fully dimensioned, showing all property lines and proposed structures. It must show setbacks from structures to each property line at the closest point.

Site Notes

All Jobs [ALL STRUCTURES ON SITE ARE SHOWN]

Battery [Individual ESS units shall be separated from each other by a min. of 3’]

Roof Plan

Rafters / attachments must be illustrated on the roof plan

Roof Plan Notes: All Jobs [PV SYSTEM SHALL NOT OBSTRUCT OR INTERFERE WITH THE FUNCTION OF VENTS OR MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT; MIN 6” SEPARATION REQUIRED (CMC 304.1, CPC 906, SPG PART 5 SECT. 8), OR ENGINEER DESIGN IS REQUIRED (CPC 301.5) // PANELS AND MODULES SHALL NOT BE PLACED ON THE PORTION OF A ROOF THAT IS BELOW AN EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENING, THIS OPENING MUST HAVE A CLEAR FLOOR SPACE OF 3FT // EXEMPTION: LISTED BIPV SYSTEMS, THAT WERE REMOVING OR CUTTING AWAY PORTIONS OF THE BIPV SYSTEM WILL NOT CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARDS DURING FIRE-FIGHTING OPERATIONS]

Attachment Detail

All Jobs [HORIZONTAL ATTACHMENTS SPACING SHALL NOT EXCEED 48” ON CENTER]

Attachment Detail Notes: All Jobs [PV PANELS THAT ARE NOT AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ROOF COVERING SYSTEM SHALL BE INSTALLED WITH A MIN. 3” CLEARANCE FROM THE ROOF SURFACE PANEL. // PV SYSTEM SHALL NOT OBSTRUCT OR INTERFERE WITH THE FUNCTION OF VENTS OR MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT; MIN 6” SEPARATION REQUIRED (CMC 304.1, CPC 906, SPG PART 5 SECT. 8), OR ENGINEER DESIGN IS REQUIRED (CPC 301.5)]

Electrical Diagram

All Jobs

BUS CERTIFICATIONS NOT ACCEPTED
DERATES REQUIRE PANEL SCHEDULE
LOAD RELOCATIONS REQUIRE PANEL SCHEDULE.
AC DISCONNECT MUST BE NEXT TO BOTH THE INVERTER AND THE MAIN PANEL.
IF THE INVERTER IS SEPARATE FROM THE MAIN PANEL, THEN AN AC DISCONNECT WILL BE REQUIRED AT BOTH LOCATIONS.

Existing Systems

MUST COMBINE SYSTEMS, SINGLE POI REQUIRED

GMAs

FUSIBLE DISCONNECT REQUIRED

Battery

BACKUP SYSTEMS REQUIRE A LOCKABLE DISCONNECTING MEANS TO BE INSTALLED NEAR THE MAIN SERVICE PANEL [CEC 705.22].

Electrical Diagram Notes

All Jobs [THE PV BREAKER SHALL BE AT THE FURTHEST POSITION AWAY FROM THE MAIN BREAKER [CEC 705.12(B)(2)(3)(B) // THE BACK-FED BREAKER SHALL BE SECURED IN PLACE BY AN ADDITIONAL FASTENER PER SECTION [408.36 (D) // BOND COLD WATER AND GAS LINES TO GROUNDING ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR PER CEC 250.105(A)&(B) // GROUNDING SHALL BE IRREVERSIBLE CRIMPED. // IF UFER IS NOT PRESENT, TWO GROUND RODS SHALL BE INSTALLED 6 FEET APART, THEN BONDED TOGETHER WITH #6-AWG. COLD WATER LINE AND GAS LINE SHALL BE BONDED. CEC 250.53(2)(D) // AFCI protection is required when loads are relocated more than 6’ // PV breaker(s) may connect at either end, but not both ends, of a center-fed panel // Pop rivets or screws are not allowed for attachment of Placards to the Main Service Panel]

MPU [All new service panels supplying dwellings units shall be provided with a surge-protective device (SPD)]

Label Page

All Jobs

INCLUDE LABEL: THIS INSTALLATION WILL BE PROVIDED WITH THE RAPID SHUTDOWN CAPABILITY REQUIRED BY SECTION 690.12 OF THE 2025 CEC
INCLUDE LABEL: TOTAL RATING OF ALL OVERCURRENT DEVICES EXCLUDING MAIN SUPPLY OVERCURRENT DEVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED AMPACITY OF BUSBAR.
INCLUDE LABEL: Battery Disconnecting Means
BATTERY: TRI POWER SOURCE (see files for example)
REMOVE NOTE: "SIGNS SHALL BE ATTACHED TO THE SERVICE EQUIPMENT WITH POP RIVETS OR SCREWS"
DERATES: A LABEL SHALL BE CLEARLY VISIBLE OUTSIDE THE ELECTRICAL PANEL THAT STATES: “THE MAIN SERVICE BREAKER HAS BEEN DOWNSIZED TO ____AMPS. NO UP-SIZING IS PERMITTED.”
PCS: PCS Controlled Current Setting: _____A The maximum output current from this system towards the main panel is controlled electronically. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for more information.

Label Page Notes: All Jobs [Signs will not be attached by pop rivets or screws]

Custom Placards Required: 1

Non Standard Revision Requirements

CHANGES MADE TO THE PLANS MUST BE CLOUDED AND LABELED WITH DELTAS,
NARRATIVE LETTER NEEDS TO HAVE A FULL DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THE CHANGES/REVISIONS ARE.
NARRATIVE LETTER MUST ALSO STATE THE PAGES IN WHICH THE CHANGES/REVISIONS ARE LOCATED AT.

Ground mount

Ground Mount Fencing Required: Yes

Ground Mount Notes

8/30 - scrim not accepted, it must be a chain link fence - LJ

SHOW ALL EASEMENTS

11/27 ALSO SHOW DISTANCE FROM GM TO EXISTING EASMENTS ON SITE PLAN

PROPERTY DIMENSIONS NEED TO MATCH THE COUNTY RECORDS.

Ground Mounts:

Will accept the mesh (scrim) under panels. MUST REFLECT ON PLANS WHETHER IT'S SCRIM OR FENCING!!!
Ground mount setback requirements for Residential: 5' from the sides, 10' from the rear, & 20' from the front
Septic Tanks & Leech Lines are required to be labeled. Add setbacks from the property lines to the leech lines.
Plans must show 10' brush clearance around modules

County of Riverside GIS viewer: https://gis.countyofriverside.us/Html5Viewer/?viewer=MMC_Public

If property has existing perimeter fence, we must show the height of the fence. Additionally, if the property has an electric entrance gate, height and length must be specified.
Provide clear instructions on the coversheet or site plan that dig alert (811) is to be contacted and compliance with excavation safety in accordance with government code 4216 will be followed, prior to any excavation taking place

Setback Front Yard: 20

Setback Back Yard: 5

Setback Side Yard: 10