Building Permits

The building permit process is not subject to CEQA review or the time limits imposed by the Permit Streamlining Act. Building permits are required for distributed generation projects that include equipment replacement, addition to an existing building, or a component of a new building. These permits are issued after the city or county building departments have determined that:

• The permit package is complete
• The project complies with all applicable building codes
• The project has received all other approvals (e.g., conditional land use permits, air permits, etc.)

During construction, the building department staff conducts field inspections to ensure that the project follows the approved plan and building inspectors will check the building once the project is complete.

Building Code

Local jurisdictions enforce the California Building Standards Code (CCR, Title 24). Because of local amendments, these codes may differ among jurisdictions. The California Building Standards Code requires emergency or stand-by power in specific classes of residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings and applies to all buildings and structures in the state. The following parts of the Code are relevant to DER installations:

• California Building Code (general building design and construction requirements, including fire- and life-safety and field inspection provisions)
• California Electrical Code (technical requires for all electrical power supplies)
• California Mechanical Code (mechanical standards for the design, construction, installation, and maintenance of heating, ventilating, cooling and refrigeration systems, incinerators, and other heat-producing appliances)
• California Plumbing Code (requirements for natural gas pipeline additions)
• California Fire Code (requirements for on-site fuel storage)