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 Irvine, CA

General California guidance last updated May 22, 2026 · Irvine data verified May 22, 2026

What electrical contractors need to know about pulling a solar interconnection permit in Irvine (Orange 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.

Irvine accepts submittal through the Irvine Ready! (online permit portal) and has adopted the 2025 California Building Standards Code (with Irvine amendments). Fee details and sources are below.

Irvine permit data

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

Permit portal

Irvine Ready! (online permit portal)

verified May 22, 2026 · source · Irvine Ready! handles plan-review submittals (grading, new construction, residential additions, tenant improvements, signs, solar); PermitsDIRECT! (powered by Symbium) issues instant minor permits for eligible residential/commercial projects

Adopted code edition

2025 California Building Standards Code (with Irvine amendments)

verified May 22, 2026 · source · Adopted Oct 28, 2025; effective Jan 1, 2026; local amendments in Title 5, Division 9 of the Irvine Municipal Code. All plan review applications submitted on or after Jan 1, 2026 must comply.

Fee schedule

City of Irvine Community Development Fee Schedule — building plan check and permit issuance fees

verified May 22, 2026 · source

City of Irvine Community Development — Building & Safety →All verified Irvine 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 Irvine-specific, see the statewide solar interconnection guide.

Typically needs a permit

Solar interconnection itself triggers a permit in nearly every California jurisdiction, Irvine included. Irvine-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 Irvine-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 Irvine notes

Permit Processing Counter phone: (949) 724-6313. Plan check fees are paid at submittal; permit fees at issuance.
verified May 22, 2026 · source
PermitsDIRECT! (powered by Symbium) automatically checks code compliance and issues permits in real time for residential solar/energy storage and select minor maintenance/replacement projects.
verified May 22, 2026 · source
Permit tracking and inspection scheduling at https://permits.cityofirvine.org/irvinepermits/ — separate from Irvine Ready! submittal.
verified May 22, 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 Irvine

AC changeout EV charger install Electrical panel upgrade All Irvine permits All California jobs

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