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Solar Permit Fees

The Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter released a study in September 2005 that listed the permit fees for installing solar photovoltaics. In July 2007 a Comparative Study was done to see if a change in fees occurred after their campaign. For both studies they requested the fees from city and county permitting departments for a system sized at 3 kW (covering 320 sq. ft. and costing $27,000).
Following are the jurisdictions in San Mateo County and their fees:
  • Atherton $250
  • Belmont $0
  • Brisbane $250
  • Burlingame $309
  • Colma $80
  • Daly City $490
  • East Palo Alto $534
  • Foster City $0
  • Half Moon Bay $291
  • Hillsborough $509
  • Menlo Park $411
  • Millbrae $358
  • Pacifica $334
  • Portola Valley $50
  • Redwood City $261
  • San Bruno $320
  • San Carlos $0
  • City of San Mateo $225
  • So. San Francisco $300
  • Woodside $30
  • County of San Mateo $345
Permit Fees: Comparison by City: check out all the fees in a ranking chart.
Sierra Club

The updated full report, Solar Electric Permit Fees in Northern California, a comparative study is available at the Sierra Club Chapter Website.