County of Los Angeles (CA)

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

Testing

Any SolarAPP+ Restrictions

1

SolarAPP+ Restrictions

MPU,Derate

How Many Plansets Required

2

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

Ee Stamp Notes

Bus Certs are NOT accepted in this AHJ

Stamp Location On Plans

Unspecified

Date On Stamps

Expiration Date

Fire setbacks

Fire Setback Enforced

1

Setback Notes

Standard

Structural & loads

Wind Speed

110

Wind Notes

Exposure Category B

Snow Load

999

Snow Load Notes

• Elevations between 0 and 1999 ft. require 0 psf snow load to be accounted for.
• Elevations between 2000 and 3500 ft. require 20 psf snow load to be accounted for.
• Elevations between 3500 and 5000 ft. require 40 psf snow load to be accounted for.
• Elevations greater than 5000 ft. require 80 psf snow load to be accounted for. BCM1608 A1

Reducible Snow Load Allowed

0

Max Attachment Spacing

96

Structural Notes

• Include license class and number with stamps on the plan set.

Minimum Ground On Roof

#8

Electrical

AC Disconnect Required

Yes

Electrical Load Calcs Required

Derates,Battery

Allowed POI

Load Side Taps,PV Breaker,Line Side Taps,Meter Adapter

Panel Schedule Required

All Projects

Temperature Rating

75

De Rating Ampacity

0.96

BOS Restrictions

Standard

Zinsco/Sylvania panels not accepted for installation, AHJ will also require subpanels to be replaced if they are Zinsco/Sylvania.

Battery / ESS

Unique Battery Placards Needed

0

ESS Notes

[LACOF]

This AHJ follows County of Los Angeles (ESS Requirements) (CA).

ESS disconnect required within 6ft of MSP on same wall and not blocked by walls/gates/etc

IF BATTERY IS TO BE ATTACHED TO AN H-FRAME, INCLUDE MOUNTING DETAIL WITH DIMENSIONS

Provide location of bollards on site plan and elevation if they are present on project.

• If Battery is not located within 6ft of ESS Disconnect near MSP, then an additional ESS Disconnect is required within 6ft and line of sight of the Battery. Not to be included in the disconnect schedule.
• Wire size installed must match approved plans
• All batteries need minimum 3' clearance from any vents, doors, windows or other batteries
• All layout or BOS equipment changes need to be restamped by the city

Separate ESS Disconnect Required

Gateway Disconnect,ESS Disconnect

ESS Elevation Detail Required

Yes - with dimensions

Plan set

Plan Set Requirements

GMAs

• Must provide specification sheet from Southern
• Bus Certs are NOT accepted in this AHJ

Cover Page

All Jobs

Battery

• PROVIDE A SCOPE OF WORK on the title page for the ESS
• (A) Number of story
• (B) Occupancy Type
• (C) Energy Storage System (ESS)
• Total number of ESS Units
• Number and Model
• Location
• State under the scope of work where the battery will be mounted

Cover Page Notes

Battery [All work shall be in compliance with the most current Los Angeles County fire code and its sections // If ESS is installed inside garage, Any planned or existing attached garage shall comply with all applicable codes and standards, and with the manufacturer's installation manual(s) to which the equipment has been listed, including requirements pertaining to fire protective features (E.g., gypsum board, doors, and ducts), and to alarm/detector devices when said devices become available // 36 in wide emergency escape and rescue pathways will be provided to the center of the operable portions of all operable doors and windows located above the roof plane when a said door or window is both setback from the eave and serving a habitable space. Windows serving vaulted ceiling only shall be exempt // No electrical components associated with the battery integrated PV system shall be located above the roof decking for the full extent of these pathways. Compliance shall be subject to inspection by the fire code official as demonstrated by the lifting of tiles by responsible party as necessary for confirmation. (CFC 1204.2.2) // Exterior ESS units will not be installed within 5' (in any direction) of all windows, doors, and HVAC vents // ESS units will be installed no less than 3' from other ESS units]

Site

All Jobs

All buildings on property are to be properly labeled and called out as habitable or non-habitable.

Battery

• Use this website to determine if project is in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone: https://www.lafd.org/fire-prevention/brush/fire-zone/fire-zone-map
• Add Note to Site plan if applicable based on fire hazard zone finding: "Project is NOT located in a fire hazard severity zone, nor in a state-responsibility area and is therefore exempt from the requirement per 2019 CRC R377.6.2 and CBC 706a.2 for securing mesh at the level of the underlayment or decking/sheathing, directly over the vent opening through the decking/sheathing that is located at the ridge"
• Clearly label battery location on Site Plan
• When Heat Detectors are required, add a leader noting "HEAT DETECTORS TO BE INSTALLED IN GARAGE"

Site Notes

All Jobs [ALL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT SHALL BE LABELED, LISTED, OR CERTIFIED BY A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED TESTING LABORATORY ACCREDITED BY THE UNITED STATES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.]

MPU [Proposed new main panel is in the same location as existing panel. If proposed new main panel is located more than 6 feet from the existing main panel, combination-type AFCI breakers shall be used as a method of protection for all 15A/1P and 20A/1P]

Roof Plan

• The two fire pathways must be on two separate planes
• Provide the distance for all fire setbacks from array to ridge/hip/valley
• For systems with multiple strings/inverters, the plans shall clearly identify how all modules are mapped to each string and/or inverter input

Attachment Detail

• Specify number of comp shingle layers on PV 1
• The attachment detail must show roof type, slope, and number of layers if comp
• Distance from top of module to roof is to be called out
• For ballast mount projects use PZSE (contact ) for structural engineering

Attachment Detail Notes

• Specify number of comp shingle layers on PV 1
• The attachment detail must show roof type, slope, and number of layers if comp 
• Distance from top of module to roof is to be called out
• For ballast mount projects use PZSE (contact ) for structural engineering

Electrical Diagram

All Jobs

• Do not use 90°C ampacities/derate factors.
• When installing on a detached structure, indicate the size of the grounding electrode conductor and type of grounding electrode used.
• When relocating Single Pole Loads more than 6 ft. Add this note "Relocated Loads shall be provided with AFCI protection per Sect. 210.12(D)"
• Hold down Kit Spec sheet required for PV breaker

MPUs

• Identify if the main panel is fed via an overhead drop or underground feed. If overhead, provide the size of the service entrance conductors AND ground size (GEC) Identify GEC size to Table 250.66
• If solar ready MPU: Show model number for solar ready service panels
• If new panel will be at a separate building/structure, provide grounding electrode system at the separate building/structure. Indicate the size of the grounding electrode conductor and the type of grounding electrode used on the single line diagram

Hot Bus

• If MSP is a hot bus and has 6 or less breakers, provide a panel schedule identifying all the breakers

GMAs

• The wire from the inverter to the AC disconnect must also be sized to #6
• Per SCE requirements, specify the distance from the GMA to the fused disconnect as 2-3' maximum
• Indicate that equipment grounding electrode conductor (EGC) shall be in separate conduit. The EGC is not installed in the liquid-tight flexible conduit from the AC disconnect to the GMA
• GMA requires GEC to be ran in its own conduit to MSP

Battery

• Identify if the ESS includes an integrated disconnecting means that is lockable. If it does not, a lockable AC disconnect is required within sight of the ESS.

Existing System

• Indicate existing system wire sizing

Electrical Diagram Notes

Battery [The ESS circuit breaker shall be secured by an additional fastener per section 408.36(D). The Breaker and fastener shall be made by the same manufacturer // BACK UP LOAD CENTER WILL COMPLY WITH 210.12(A) USING AFCI BREAKERS // BOND GROUNDING SYSTEM IN BOTH BUILDINGS .NEUTRAL BUS AT SEPARATE BUILDING SHALL BE ISOLATED // THE SUB PANEL OR AC DISCONNECT SWITCH AT THE SEPARATE STRUCTURE SHALL BE SERVICE RATED 225.36 SUITABLE FOR SERVICE EQUIPMENT // THE DISCONNECT MEANS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 225.31 SHALL BE SUITABLE FOR USE AS SERVICE EQUIPMENT PER SECTION 225.36 // At the gateway, remove the neutral-ground bond strap]

All Jobs [THE PV BREAKER SHALL BE LOCATED AT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE MAIN BREAKER OR INPUT FEEDER // ALL TERMINALS TO BE RATED AT 75°C MINIMUM // All electrical equipment shall be labeled, listed, or certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory accredited by the United States Occupational Safety Health Administration.]

MPU [GEC SIZE FROM MAIN SERVICE PANEL TO GROUND ROD TO BE #4 AWG. SIZE OF GEC FROM PANEL TO METAL WATER PIPE TO BE #4 AWG // THE CONNECTION TO THE INTERIOR METAL WATER PIPING SHALL BE MADE WITHIN 5 FT FROM THE POINT OF ENTRANCE. PER SECTION 250.68(C)(1) // If ground rods, comply with the following: 250.53(A)(2) & (3) Resistance of Electrodes: For the ground rod specified on the single line diagram, indicate that there shall be two ground rods separated by six or more feet // GEC SIZE IS #4 AWG 1 GROUND ROD TO BE INSTALLED WITHING 5' OF COLD WATER MAIN ENTERING THE HOME, CONNECTED VIA UL LISTED BONDING CLAMP // If proposed new main panel is located more than 6 feet from the existing main panel, combination-type AFCI breakers shall be used as a method of protection for all 15A/1P and 20A/1P (120V) loads per 210.12(D).]

Custom Placards Required

1

Placards Notes

Permanent placards reflecting placard page of approved plans

Non Standard Planset Requirements

BOS Elevation

Ground mount

Ground Mount Fencing Required

Mesh/Scrim

Ground Mount Notes

• If using Scrim/Mesh: need to show a detail of how it is being installed and the exact product/material that is being proposed.
• Need ground rod at GM, show on ELD
• Iron Ridge Only for GM
• Demonstrate on plans the distance between the GM system and all property lines and structures. Also demonstrate the dimensions of the GM system. 
• Show the general drainage pattern on the site plan
• Show the slop direction of the GM system
• Add the following note to the site plan: "APPROVAL OF GROUND MOUNT SOLAR DOES NOT APPROVE ALL STRUCTURES ON THIS PROPERTY. STRUCTURES OR PORTIONS OF STRUCTURES FOUND TO BE WITHOUT PERMITS AS REQUIRED WILL BE FORWARDED TO CODE ENFORCEMENT"
• UL2703 listed racking systems recognized by L.A. County for integrated grounding and bonding can be found at http://dpw.lacounty.gov/bsd/content/publications.aspx?doc=Guide.pdf. 
• The installation instructions for these systems can be downloaded from this page.
• Provide a detail for grounding and bonding. The detail should identify the interconnections of module - module, module - rail, rail - rail; the specific manufacturer and model of the grounding lug (UL2703 listed); dc-dc converters or microinverters (if applicable); the conductor size; and any other information that may be needed. 
• See attached LA County Grounding & Bonding packet for reference. https://dpw.lacounty.gov/bsd/lib/fp/Electrical/Electrical%20Forms/Grounding%20and%20Bonding%20Packet.pdf
• (If optimizers are being used provide a detail showing how to bond them using a listed UL 2703 lay in lug)
• A detail on how to bond the pipes is also required.