Solar Panel Permit in Anaheim (2026)
Solar Panel permit requirements, fees, and process for Anaheim, CA. Find out if you need a permit and how to apply.
Yes, a Solar Panel permit is required in Anaheim, CA.
A Solar Panel permit is required in Anaheim, CA. The Anaheim Planning and Building Department — Building Division handles permit applications for Anaheim. Below you will find the current thresholds, fees, and process for obtaining a solar panel permit in Anaheim.
When Is a Permit Required?
When a Solar Panel Permit Is Required in Anaheim: All solar PV systems
Permit Fees
Solar Panel Permit Fees in Anaheim: $100–$400. Estimated timeline: 1-2 business days via SolarAPP+.
Estimated timeline: 1-2 business days via SolarAPP+
How to Get a Solar Panel Permit in Anaheim
Verify whether your project meets the permit threshold in Anaheim: All solar PV systems.
Prepare your permit application and plans. Contact the Anaheim Planning and Building Department — Building Division at https://www.anaheim.net/149/Planning-Building for required documentation.
Submit your application online at https://epermits.anaheim.net/ or in person at the Anaheim Planning and Building Department — Building Division.
Pay the permit fee: $100–$400.
Wait for plan check approval. Estimated timeline: 1-2 business days via SolarAPP+.
Schedule required inspections through https://www.anaheim.net/2186/Inspections. All inspections must pass before project is finalized.
Important: Anaheim participates in SolarAPP+. Anaheim Public Utilities (APU) handles interconnection — note APU is a separate municipal utility from SCE territory. Anaheim Public Utilities net metering program available. California Title 24 solar mandate for new residential construction.
Anaheim Planning and Building Department — Building Division
Phone: (714) 765-5153
Website: https://www.anaheim.net/149/Planning-Building
Online Permits: https://epermits.anaheim.net/
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:00pm (200 S. Anaheim Blvd)
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 Building Code — Solar Panel Requirements. Last verified April 6, 2026. View source