Can I Build Solar Panels in Anaheim, CA? (2026)
Find out if you can build a solar panels in Anaheim, CA. Rules, permit requirements, costs, and next steps.
Yes, solar panels are permitted in Anaheim, CA. State mandate requires solar on new construction. A permit is required.
Solar panel installation in Anaheim, CA is permitted and, for new construction, often required by state mandate. California Title 24 Part 6 requires solar PV on all new low-rise residential construction statewide. Anaheim is unique in having its own municipal electric utility (Anaheim Public Utilities) rather than being served by Southern California Edison. Residential solar installations require a building/electrical permit from the Anaheim Planning and Building Department — Building Division. The permit process in Anaheim: Anaheim participates in SolarAPP+ for standard residential systems. Interconnection with Anaheim Public Utilities (APU) rather than SCE — contact APU at (714) 765-5158 for grid-tied system requirements. APU's net metering program has its own rate structure separate from SCE NEM 3.0.
Solar Panels Rules in Anaheim
Solar Panel Rules in Anaheim: Permit required: Yes — all solar installations require a permit. Thresholds: All solar PV systems. Permit fees: $100–$400. HOA restrictions: California Civil Code Section 714 prohibits HOAs from unreasonably restricting solar installations. Anaheim has many HOA communities in newer developments. HOAs can require architectural review but cannot deny code-compliant systems.. Historic district note: Anaheim has limited historic district designations. The Anaheim Colony Historic District covers parts of original downtown Anaheim. Properties in the Colony District may require Design Review for exterior modifications including solar. The Disneyland-adjacent Anaheim Resort Historic District has specialized architectural guidelines.. Anaheim is served by Anaheim Public Utilities (APU) — a municipal electric utility — not SCE. This means different interconnection procedures, rate structures, and net metering programs than most of Orange County. Contact APU before starting a solar project to understand current net metering terms.
Costs & Fees
Solar permit fees in Anaheim: $100–$400.
Timeline
1-2 business days via SolarAPP+
Next Steps
Next steps for installing solar panels in Anaheim: 1. Get quotes from licensed solar installers familiar with CA requirements. 2. Installer will prepare permit application and system design documents. 3. Permit application submitted to the Anaheim Planning and Building Department — Building Division. 4. Once permit approved, installation begins. Electrical inspection required at completion. 5. Apply for utility interconnection and net metering through your utility provider.
Anaheim Planning and Building Department — Building Division
Phone: See official source
Website: https://www.anaheim.net/149/Planning-Building
Online Permits: https://epermits.anaheim.net/
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU on my Anaheim residential property?
Yes. California state law requires Anaheim to permit ADUs by-right on all residential lots. You can build a detached ADU up to 1,200 sqft or a Junior ADU (JADU) up to 500 sqft within your existing home. No owner-occupancy is required. Applications are processed ministerially through Anaheim's ePERMITS online portal. Contact Anaheim Planning and Building at (714) 765-5153 for guidance.
Does my Anaheim property use Southern California Edison (SCE) or Anaheim Public Utilities for electricity?
Most of Anaheim is served by Anaheim Public Utilities (APU), a city-owned municipal utility — not Southern California Edison. This matters for solar permits, net metering rates, and EV charger incentives. APU has its own solar interconnection process separate from SCE. Call APU at (714) 765-5158 to confirm your service territory and get solar interconnection requirements before starting a solar project.
Are there special rules for properties near Disneyland or the Anaheim Resort District?
The Anaheim Resort District (approximately 1,000 acres surrounding Disneyland) is zoned C-R (Resort Commercial) — it is not a residential zone. Residential properties adjacent to the Resort District boundary are subject to standard residential zoning but may be affected by noise, traffic, and visual impact from resort operations. There are no special ADU restrictions for residential properties near (but outside) the Resort District boundary. The Platinum Triangle near Angel Stadium has its own Specific Plan with mixed-use commercial/residential zoning for large development projects.
What is Anaheim's Transient Occupancy Tax rate for Airbnb hosts?
Anaheim's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rate is 15% — one of the higher rates in Orange County, reflecting the city's large tourism industry (Disneyland, Angel Stadium, conventions). Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit TOT to Anaheim on behalf of registered hosts. You must obtain an Anaheim Short-Term Rental Permit ($175/year) and post the permit number on your listing. Whole-home STRs are limited to 120 nights per year.
Does Anaheim have any short-term rental rules specific to the Anaheim Resort/Disneyland area?
The Anaheim Resort District itself is commercial zoning — no residential STRs occur within the Resort District's formal boundaries. However, residential neighborhoods adjacent to the Resort (Anaheim Colony area, neighborhoods east/north of Disneyland) can have STRs under the standard Anaheim STR permit process. Note that homes in these neighborhoods command premium Airbnb rates due to Disneyland proximity — confirm your property is in a residential zone (not Resort Commercial) before listing.
What are the JADU rules in Anaheim?
A Junior ADU (JADU) under California Gov Code §66333 (Stats. 2024 Ch. 7 §20) allows you to create a secondary unit up to 500 sqft within your existing single-family home or attached garage without building a new structure. JADUs must have an efficiency kitchen (can share the main home's bathroom) and their own entrance. They qualify for the same owner-occupancy-free rules as standard ADUs. On a single-family Anaheim lot, you can have both an ADU (up to 1,200 sqft) AND a JADU (up to 500 sqft) simultaneously — potentially adding two rental units to your property.
How do school developer fees work for new ADUs in Anaheim?
Source: Anaheim Planning and Building Department — Building Division — Building Regulations. Last verified April 6, 2026. View source