What does getPermit actually do?

getPermit reads your job details and tells you what a California city expects before you file: which permits the work triggers, the documents and plans you'll need, the fees to budget for, and the common reasons applications in that jurisdiction get bounced back. It produces a clear checklist you can act on. It does not submit to the city for you — you (or your permit person) stay in control of what gets filed.

Is there a human involved, or is it just AI?

Both. The AI does the research and drafts the assessment and checklist; an experienced permit coordinator reviews and approves it before it's treated as authoritative. The human check is the point — it's how we keep it trustworthy in a process where a wrong filing has real consequences.

Which cities do you cover?

We're starting deep in California rather than shallow everywhere. For a city we haven't fully mapped yet, we'll give you accurate general California guidance and point you to that city's official building department — and you can join the waitlist to be notified when we cover it in depth. We will not invent city-specific fees or timelines we haven't verified.

Solo electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors, and small general contractors who don't have a dedicated permit department and lose billable hours to permit admin.

How much does it cost?

It's pre-launch. Join the waitlist and you'll get founder pricing, your jurisdiction prioritized, and a direct line to the team. No spam, no credit card.

We're onboarding a first set of California contractors. Join the waitlist with your city and trade so we can prioritize the jurisdictions our early users actually work in.

Solar interconnection permits in Concord, CA

General California guidance last updated May 22, 2026 · Concord data verified August 9, 2026

What electrical contractors need to know about pulling a solar interconnection permit in Concord (Contra Costa County).

Short answer

In California, installing a grid-tied solar PV system needs an electrical permit (often called a PV or solar-interconnection permit), pulled by a licensed C-10 or C-46 contractor. The work follows the California Electrical Code (Title 24, Part 3, Article 690) and California's expedited residential solar permitting (most cities use SolarAPP+). Battery-storage interconnection (Article 706) adds further scope.

Concord accepts submittal through the Virtual Permit Center (Accela Citizen Access) and has adopted the 2025 California Building Standards Code. Fee details and sources are below.

Concord permit data

Sourced from public City of Concord documents — every field carries the source URL and verification date.

Permit portal

Virtual Permit Center (Accela Citizen Access)

verified Aug 9, 2026 · source · The city's Permit Center page links the portal ("Permit Portal", available 24/7); the building-permit application instructions call it the Virtual Permit Center at https://aca-prod.accela.com/CONCORD

Adopted code edition

2025 California Building Standards Code

verified Aug 9, 2026 · source · Listed on the city's currently-effective codes page alongside Concord Municipal Code Title 15 and Contra Costa County Fire Protection District amendments (2025 California Fire Code, 2025 Wildland-Urban Interface Code); the adoption ordinance and date are not stated on the page

Fee schedule

Building Permits fee schedule (T3a — Building Division Fees) — effective July 1, 2026 (Res. No. 26.6042.1)

verified Aug 9, 2026 · source · Concord's DocumentCenter URLs respond to GET requests only (HEAD returns 404)

City of Concord Building Division →All verified Concord data →

The general picture in California

A solar PV interconnection ties the new array into the building's electrical system at the main panel, a backfed breaker, or a load-side/line-side tap. The permit covers module count and wattage, string and inverter configuration, the AC and DC disconnects, the interconnection point, grounding, rapid shutdown (NEC 690.12), and labeling. California requires expedited residential solar permitting — most cities use SolarAPP+ for instant or same-day issuance on code-compliant designs. The utility interconnection application (PG&E, SCE, LADWP, SDG&E) runs in parallel with the city permit and is the contractor's responsibility.

For deeper background that isn't Concord-specific, see the statewide solar interconnection guide.

Typically needs a permit

Solar interconnection itself triggers a permit in nearly every California jurisdiction, Concord included. Concord-specific variations are confirmed with the issuing department above.

Usually doesn't (general norm)

Cleaning or replacing damaged modules with identical units on an already-permitted system (verify locally)
Resetting inverters or rapid-shutdown devices
Replacing monitoring or communications equipment that doesn't affect the electrical system

Documents & plans generally required

Electrical permit application — many California cities use SolarAPP+
Contractor license and city business registration
Site/plot plan showing the array, conduit run, and interconnection point
Single-line diagram with module / inverter / disconnect / breaker / OCPD ratings
Module and inverter cut sheets (listed equipment)
Structural attachment detail for roof-mounted systems (often deferred-submittal to engineer)
Load calc + 120% rule check at the interconnection (NEC 705.12) — or supply-side tap detail
Rapid-shutdown initiation and labeling per NEC 690.12 and the local code cycle
Utility interconnection application (handled in parallel with the city permit)

Common reasons solar interconnection applications get bounced

Code-rooted patterns across California — not a Concord-specific rejection rate.

120% rule violation at the main panel without a supply-side tap or main-breaker derate
Single-line diagram missing or inconsistent with the cut sheets
Rapid-shutdown initiation and labeling not shown per NEC 690.12
Conductor / OCPD sizing not at 125% of the inverter's max output current
Structural attachment / roof-load calc missing for roof-mounted systems
No grounding/bonding detail for the array and module frames (EGC + WEEB or listed clip)
Battery storage proposed without Article 706 scope (separate disconnect, signage, listing)

The inspection sequence

A typical order — the number of stops and exact sequence vary by jurisdiction and scope.

1Rough inspection if any conduit or wiring is concealed before cover
2Final inspection with the system installed, labeled, energized into a test load, and rapid-shutdown verified
3Utility permission-to-operate (PTO) granted separately by the utility after city sign-off

Licensing — who can pull it

Solar PV installations in California are performed by a C-10 (Electrical) or C-46 (Solar) licensed contractor; a B (General Building) contractor may pull within a larger project under CSLB rules. C-46 is solar-specific; C-10 covers solar as electrical work. The licensed contractor pulling the permit typically also files the utility interconnection.

Other verified Concord notes

Building Permit Staff — Permit Center (Building D), 1950 Parkside Drive, MS/51, Concord, CA 94519; (925) 671-3107; Monday–Friday 8 AM–12 PM and 1–4 PM, closed City holidays.
verified Aug 9, 2026 · source
When adding the licensed contractor in the portal, the CSLB license record must carry a City of Concord business license number — otherwise a valid Concord business license must be obtained before the permit is issued.
verified Aug 9, 2026 · source
The Permit Portal is available 24/7 to apply for permits, check application and inspection status, and search permit history.
verified Aug 9, 2026 · source
Permit Pal (https://permitpal.cityofconcord.org/) is the city's self-service tool for zoning information, which permits a project requires, and permit-fee estimates before applying.
verified Aug 9, 2026 · source

Frequently asked questions

How does SolarAPP+ change the permit process in California?

SolarAPP+ is a state-encouraged automated plan-review tool many California cities have adopted for residential solar (and increasingly storage) under the state's expedited-permitting laws. For code-compliant designs, it issues a permit instantly or same-day. Cities not using SolarAPP+ still must process residential solar permits on expedited timelines.

Do I need a separate permit for battery storage?

Battery storage adds NEC Article 706 scope — additional disconnect, signage, listing requirements, and often a separate or combined permit. Many cities bundle PV+ESS into a single permit; others issue them separately. Storage retrofits to existing PV are a permit on their own.

What is the 120% rule?

NEC 705.12 limits how much PV current can be backfed through the main-panel busbar: the main breaker + PV breaker cannot exceed 120% of the busbar rating. When that fails, options are derating the main breaker, a line-side (supply-side) tap, or upgrading the panel. This is the single most common solar-permit gotcha.

Who handles the utility interconnection?

The contractor typically files the utility's interconnection application (PG&E, SCE, LADWP, SDG&E, etc.) in parallel with the city permit. City sign-off is required for the utility to grant permission-to-operate (PTO) — the system shouldn't be energized to the grid until PTO is issued.

Other jobs in Concord

AC changeout Battery storage EV charger install All Concord permits All California jobs

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