Photovoltaic Real Time (PRT) Permit

Menlo Park’s PRT process complies with California SB 379 requirements for issuing residential solar energy system permits to a licensed solar installation contractor.  This process bypasses the standard building permit process to issue a building permit in real-time.   Eligible residential PV projects shall meet the following criteria:

  • Single-family residential
  • Roof-mounted system
  • New PV system (no upgrades or additions)
  • PV systems 38.4 kW or less
  • Electric service 400 A or less (no electrical panel upgrades)
  • Service to contain a 225 A service disconnect switch
  • Service to contain 225A bus bars
  • Applicant is a California-licensed contractor

NOTE: Battery ESS and EV charger installations require separate permitting. 

Menlo Park Fire District reviews proposed solar photovoltaic system installation for compliance to the 2022 California Fire Code.  Menlo Fire is a separate agency from the City of Menlo Park.  Please contact them directly for submittal information at www.menlofire.gov/plan-submittal or at 650-688-8400.

When eligible and all the submittal items are ready, follow the PRT steps below. 

Steps for PRT process

Step 1: Register and/or log into process

SolarApp+

Step 2: Submit project to processor

  • Submit your project through the Processor (e.g., SolarAPP+).  
  • Pay the applicable fees charged by the Processor. 
  • Download the approval document (certificate) and inspection checklist.

Step 3: Apply for permit in Menlo Park portal

  • Log into Menlo Park’s Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal.
  • When applying for a PRT permit, you will be asked to upload the required submittal documents including those you downloaded from the processor.
Required documents
  1. Approval certificate with issued processor number
  2. Inspection checklist from processor application
  3. Menlo Park Fire District approval letter
  4. Complete plan set
  5. Manufacturer specifications for PV modules, inverter, load center, combiner box, and other proposed equipment

Step 4: Scheduling inspection after construction

  • Log into Menlo Park’s Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal.
  • Select “My Records."
  • Select the record number.
  • Select “Schedule an Inspection” near the top of the page.
  • Complete the inspection request form

FAQs

What is SolarAPP+?

SolarAPP+ is short for Solar Automated Permit Processing. It is an online web portal that automates the plan review and process for issuing permits to qualified businesses or individuals installing code-compliant residential photovoltaic (PV) systems. Based on model building, electrical, and fire codes, SolarAPP+ automatically performs a compliance check based on inputs supplied by the contractor to ensure the proposed system is safe and code compliant. 

Visit https://gosolarapp.org for more information.

How do I submit a project through SolarAPP+?

Please visit the SolarAPP+ website for tutorials on how to register and submit a project on SolarAPP+:

Click her to register

Click here to submit

How do I make changes to approved SolarAPP+ plans?

Revisions can only be made on systems that have not yet been installed.

A SolarAPP+ revision must first be completed on the SolarAPP+ website. Once the SolarAPP+ revision is approved, create a City of Menlo Park revision amendment utilizing the following steps:

Log in to your Accela Citizen Access (ACA) account 

  1. On the “Home” tab, click “My Records”
  2. Locate the original permit number and in the “Action” column, select “Amendment”. This will prompt the creation of a Residential Solar Permit Revision which will generate a separate revision number (e.g., BLD2024-0XXXX-REVX)
  3. Complete the Residential Solar Permit Revision form
  4. Note the revised SolarAPP+ approval code (it will be different from the original code)
  5. Upload the newly generated SolarAPP+ approval package and specification sheets
  6. Print out the instruction package once the application is complete
  7. Read through the package for further instructions

Note that the instructions above are also noted in the previously issued permit packet.                                                         

 

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