ENHANCEMENT TO LADBS’ ONLINE SOLAR PV PERMITTING SYSTEM (ePermit-Solar)
Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) proudly announces that it has enhanced its online Solar PV module of its E-Permit system, to accommodate almost all residential solar photovoltaic projects in one- or two-family dwellings. With this new enhancement, the online system now accommodates all residential systems up to 38.4 kilowatts including Energy Storage System (ESS).
  
The online Solar PV Permitting module was created by LADBS in 2014, in collaboration with the solar industry, to help streamline the permitting process and support the solar industry. This online permitting system allows customers to obtain solar permits expeditiously online without the need for a plan review process. Our user-friendly online portal allows customers to provide the details of their solar photovoltaic system, pay, and immediately obtain a permit. The system will automatically and instantly generate the approved plans and permit. The system accepts credit cards and e-check for payment of permit fees.
The full automation of the solar PV permitting process has allowed the Department to waive the plan review fee thus reducing the soft cost of solar PV installations. Additionally, LADBS reduced the inspection time and streamlined the inspection process by working closely with Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) on an agreement to have LADBS inspectors verify requirements on behalf of LAFD for solar PV installations in one- and two- family dwellings. To further enhance the inspection process and improve customer convenience, LADBS established a virtual inspection program where inspections are performed virtually using video-conferencing, this has further reduced soft cost of solar systems. 

Customers tell us that LADBS’ online Solar PV Permitting has been a game changer in terms of reducing time and costs related to the installation of solar photovoltaic systems. Since its inception in 2014, online Solar PV Permitting has issued over 56,000 permits saving the solar industry and homeowners a great deal of time and money.
We continually update our online solar PV permitting system based on input from our customers to ensure that we fulfil their needs and that the permitted solar system is properly designed for safe operation. Solar PV Permitting can be accessed through the Department’s website or directly at https://PermitLA.lacitydbs.org

LADBS will continue its efforts in developing innovative processes and customer-centric online services. The development and use of E-Permit and the Solar PV Permitting system has served as a model to follow for other local and federal agencies.
 
The Department is committed to continuing to streamline permitting, being enablers of clean energy and contributing to a greener, more sustainable future for our city.