Assembly Bill 2188 (Muratsuchi), which calls for the expedited permitting and inspection process for small residential solar energy systems, continues to move through the legislative process.  AB 2188 is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday, August 4, 2014.  RCRC staff strongly urges member counties to contact Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and describe the impacts this legislation would have upon local government, and request that they vote “No” on AB 2188 when it is heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

As amended July 1, 2014, AB 2188 requires each city and county to create an expedited permitting and inspection process for small residential solar energy systems, among other provisions.  Specifically, AB 2188:

  • Gives preference to solar over all other types of permits, creating a special class of permitting and inspections for one particular industry; and,
  • Requires that by September 30, 2015, every city and every county must adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems, consistent with the Solar Rights Act.

The text of AB 2188 can be accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Advocate Kathy Mannion at (916) 447-4806 or kmannion@rcrcnet.org.