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City of San Jose (CA)

California Authority Having Jurisdiction Solar permitting requirements
NEC Code Version2023
Fire Code Version2018 Building Code
SolarAPP+ StatusTargeted
Wet Stamps RequiredDigital Structural
Fire Setback Enforced1

Codes

NEC Code Version
2023
Fire Code Version
2018 Building Code
Code List

2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

2025 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE

2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE

2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE

2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE

2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE

2025 CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

IEBC Accepted
1
ASCE Code Specification
ASCE 7-16

SolarAPP+ & submittal

SolarAPP+ Status
Targeted
Any SolarAPP+ Restrictions
1
SolarAPP+ Restrictions
MPU,Derate
How Many Plansets Required
1
Revision Required
1
Rough Inspection
None
New Planset Required For Module Swap
0

Stamps

Ee Stamp Required On SLD
No
Wet Stamps Required
Digital Structural
Structural Calculations Required
Yes
Stamp Location On Plans
Unspecified
Date On Stamps
Expiration Date

Fire setbacks

Fire Setback Enforced
1
Setback Notes
  • Layout of modules needs to be replicated in Aurora before downloading DXF

Structural & loads

Wind Speed
110
Wind Notes

Exposure Category B

Snow Load
0
Snow Load Notes

N/A

Reducible Snow Load Allowed
1
Max Attachment Spacing
96
Structural Notes

Batteries will require structural calculations to certify the mounting of the battery on the wall.

Minimum Ground On Roof
#10

Electrical

AC Disconnect Required
Yes
AC Disconnect Conditional Criteria

A knife switch disconnect is not needed for any load side connections. AHJ considers the breaker a form of disconnect.

Electrical Load Calcs Required
Derates
Allowed POI
Load Side Taps,PV Breaker,Meter Adapter,Line Side Taps
Panel Schedule Required
Partial Home Backup
Temperature Rating
90
De Rating Ampacity
1
BOS Restrictions

AC Disconnect is always required within 10' of the main panel.

Battery / ESS

Unique Battery Placards Needed
0
ESS Notes

ESS Spacing Requirements

  • San Jose Building Department defines an ESS Unit as 20kWh of energy storage, which can be multiple batteries up to 20kWh of total capacity. This results in allowing battery to battery spacing to be reduced to manufacturer specs for the batteries that make up the 20kWh "ESS Unit". ESS Units will need to be spaced by 3'. 
  •  For Example, a project with 6x Enphase 5P batteries (5 kWh each) can have 4 of them be spaced to manufacturer specs as that is considered a single "ESS Unit". The remaining 2 batteries will make up the 2nd ESS Unit and must be spaced 3' from the 1st ESS Unit. The 2 batteries that make up the 2nd ESS Unit can be spaced to manufacturer specs.  
  • MUST MAINTAIN 3' any opening (door/window) that opens to the dwelling unit.
  • Inspector will enforce working clearances requirements for all battery equipment, 3' required

All Jobs

  • Add ESS info to System information on Cover Page
  • Include the full installation manual for the battery to the plan set
  • BATTERY ATTACHMENT DETAIL REQUIRED ON ESS ELEVATION
  • Number of fasteners, type, diameter, embedment, hardware brackets, etc. shall be clearly illustrated in detail.
  • INCLUDE NOTE ON COVER PAGE [AS A CONDITION OF APPROVAL THE BATTERY AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT NEEDS UL 9540 VISUAL MARKINGS IN ORDER FOR FIELD INSPECTOR TO APPROVE.]
  • INCLUDE NOTE ON ELECTRICAL DIAGRAM [Producer's storage device(s) will not cause the Host Load to exceed its normal peak demand. Normal peak demand is defined as the highest amount of power required from the Distribution System by Producer's complete facilities without the influence or use of the energy storage device(s).

Wall-mounted batteries require structural engineering at the battery location and attachment

  • Provide calculation analysis for the ESS gravity and lateral out-of-plane support. Provide fastener to stud calculation (reminder that there is capacity reduction due to stud edge distance). Connection at top and bottom of stud maybe required to resist out-of-plane forces unless otherwise justified, not required. Number of fasteners, type, diameter, embedment, hardware brackets, etc. shall be clearly illustrated in detail.
  • For roof mounted PV + ESS, check if the property is in a FEMA flood zone by pasting the address in this website: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home. If it's in flood zone AO, depth is 1' and the AHJ requires that the batteries are to be installed at a minimum of 24 above grade. Must show the min distance from the bottom of the battery to the grade in the side elevation drawing of the battery. This is only specific to zone AO. Other zones will vary
Separate ESS Disconnect Required
ESS Disconnect
ESS Elevation Detail Required
No

Plan set

Plan Set Requirements

BUS BAR CERTIFICATIONS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THIS AHJ

Battery

Illustrate the mounting method of the battery on the plans

  • If the battery weights 200 lbs or greater than we need structural engineer to include the weight of the battery in their calculations
Cover Page

Provide a scope of work, and description for all the work that is to be done under this plan check, including any additional work being done with the PV such as MPU or ESS.

Cover Page Notes

Battery [AS A CONDITION OF APPROVAL THE BATTERY AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT NEEDS UL 9540 VISUAL MARKINGS IN ORDER FOR FIELD INSPECTOR TO APPROVE.]

Site

Specify the weight for all the equipment that will be installed.

Site Notes

Battery [ROOMS AND AREAS WITHIN DWELLING UNITS, BASEMENTS, AND ATTACHED GARAGES IN WHICH ESS ARE INSTALLED SHALL BE PROTECTED BY SMOKE ALARMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH CRC SECTION R314. A LISTED HEAT DETECTOR SHALL BE INSTALLED IN LOCATIONS WITHIN DWELLING UNITS AND ATTACHED GARAGES WHERE SMOKE ALARMS CANNOT BE INSTALLED BASED ON THEIR LISTING.]

Roof Plan
  • The layout of existing PV systems needs to be illustrated as individual modules, not one big “obstruction.”
  • Layout of modules needs to be replicated in Aurora before downloading DXF
Roof Plan Notes

All Jobs [PANELS ARE LESS THAN 5 LBS/SQFT CONNECTION POINTS ARE LESS THAN 40LBS/SQFT PANELS ARE LESS THAN 18 OFF THE ROOF.]

Electrical Diagram

BUS BAR CERTIFICATIONS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THIS AHJ

Electrical Diagram Notes

Battery [Producer's storage device(s) will not cause the Host Load to exceed its normal peak demand. Normal peak demand is defined as the highest amount of power required from the Distribution System by Producer's complete facilities without the influence or use of the energy storage device(s).]

Label Page

EXISTING SYSTEMS:

  • The inspector wants to see the existing system on the placard represented with hatch marks (like our setbacks)
Custom Placards Required
1
Placards Notes
  • Main placard required when homeowner has an existing system installed prior to 2017 and doesn't have rapid shutdown.

Ground mount

Ground Mount Fencing Required
Mesh/Scrim
Compiled from public records, 2026. Requirements change with code cycles and local amendments. Verify with the City of San Jose (CA) building department before you rely on this, and treat it as a research head start, not a ruling. Getting quotes? Run them through the quote checker first.