Do You Need a Solar Panel Permit in San Francisco?
Electrical permit
A small residential rooftop solar system on a building that isn't a designated landmark is exempt from a building permit in San Francisco, but an electrical or other permit may still be required. Registered contractors can apply for solar photovoltaic permits online.
Source: SF.gov: Check if your construction project needs a permit
San Francisco Solar Panel Permits at a Glance
- Permits, last 12 months
- 423
- Issued, last 30 days
- 11
- Median application to issue
- 41 days
- Median declared job value
- $24,900
- Issuing office
- San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI)
- Rule last checked
- October 30, 2026
Permits Issued per Month
Counts are approximate: we match permit types and descriptions to solar panel work. Data from DataSF: Building Permits, refreshed October 30, 2026.
What San Francisco's Rules Say
- Small residential rooftop solar on non-landmark buildings: no building permit.
- An electrical permit or other permit may be required depending on the system.
- Solar PV permits can be issued online to registered contractors.
San Francisco Solar Panel Permit Fees
We have not verified San Francisco's fee for this work from an official fee schedule yet, so we don't quote one. The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) sets the fee when you apply.
Busiest Areas for Solar Panel Permits
| Neighborhood | Permits (12 mo) |
|---|---|
| West of Twin Peaks | 47 |
| Sunset/Parkside | 44 |
| Noe Valley | 37 |
| Outer Richmond | 35 |
| Bernal Heights | 30 |
| Glen Park | 25 |
How to Get a Solar Panel Permit in San Francisco
- Confirm the rule for your exact job on the official page cited above. Size, height, structure and location (historic district, floodplain) can change the answer.
- Choose who applies. Many permits here must be pulled by a licensed contractor; ask any contractor to name the license they will use.
- Apply with the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) through the official department website.
- Schedule inspections as the permit requires, and keep the final approval with your house records.
Recent San Francisco Solar Panel Permits
| Issued | Address | Work |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-27 | 46 Saint Germain Av | solar permit: installing 29 solar pv modules, 435 watts per module, total no. of rating 12.615 kw. mounted: roof, ballas |
| 2026-10-23 | 2740 Broderick St | solar permit: installing 34 solar pv modules, 440 watts per module, total no. of rating 14.96 kw. mounted: roof, ballast |
| 2026-10-21 | 1020 Broadway | solar permit: installing 20 solar pv modules, 440 watts per module, total no. of rating 8.8 kw. mounted: roof, ballasted |
| 2026-10-19 | 738 El Camino Del Mar | solar permit: ballasted: n, including 2 energy storage unit, of 600 vac, with 13.5 kwh each in capacity, ess units will |
| 2026-10-19 | 583 Corbett Av | solar permit: ballasted: n, including 1 energy storage unit, of 600 vac, with 13.5 kwh each in capacity, ess units will |
| 2026-10-19 | 431 Lake St | solar permit: mounted: roof, ballasted: n, including 1 energy storage unit, of 240 vac, with 13.5 kwh each in capacity, |
| 2026-10-15 | 486 Belvedere St | solar permit: installing 18 solar pv modules, 440 watts per module, total no. of rating 7.92 kw. mounted: roof, ballaste |
| 2026-10-13 | 160 Upland Dr | solar permit: installing 20 solar pv modules, 440 watts per module, total no. of rating 8.8 kw. mounted: roof, ballasted |
| 2026-10-06 | 2336 Lake St | solar permit: ballasted: n, including 1 energy storage unit, of 600 vac, with 13.5 kwh each in capacity, ess units will |
| 2026-10-06 | 730 18th Av | solar permit: installing 9 solar pv modules, 450 watts per module, total no. of rating 4.05 kw. mounted: roof, ballasted |
Addresses and work descriptions as published by the city. Owner names and phone numbers are removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a solar panel permit in San Francisco?
Electrical permit. A small residential rooftop solar system on a building that isn't a designated landmark is exempt from a building permit in San Francisco, but an electrical or other permit may still be required. Registered contractors can apply for solar photovoltaic permits online.
How many solar panel permits does San Francisco issue?
San Francisco issued 423 permits matching solar panel work between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026, about 35 a month. The busiest month was Dec 2025 with 60.
How much does a solar panel permit cost in San Francisco?
We have not yet verified San Francisco's fee for this work from an official fee schedule, so we do not quote one. The fee is set by the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) when you apply.
How long does it take to get a solar panel permit in San Francisco?
Based on the city's records, the median time from application to issue for these permits was 41 days over the last 12 months.
Who issues solar panel permits in San Francisco?
The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI).
Related Permit Guides
- San Francisco Roofing Permits
- San Francisco HVAC Permits
- San Francisco Fence Permits
- Chicago Solar Panel Permits
- New York Solar Panel Permits
- Solar Panel Permits by City
- Solar Panel Permit Rules for Homeowners
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- SF.gov: Check if your construction project needs a permit (linked above) (sf.gov)
- SF.gov: Where to apply for your permit (sf.gov)